Actor-politician Robin Padilla for vice president?
At a gathering for former President Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands, Senator Robin Padilla was introduced as the vice president of current Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, Raul Lambino, a senatorial aspirant from PDP, weighed in on the idea during a recent meetup with the entertainment press at Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City. The former cabinet member and presidential adviser for Northern Luzon under Duterte was asked about his thoughts on Robin’s potential run for higher office.
“Masyadong maaga pag usapan ang 2028 elections,” Lambino said. “As of now, we have 2025 elections this May, dito muna tayo mag-focus. We have to attend first to the needs of our countrymen…
“Mag-focus muna tayo in the next 2 years kung paano sagutin ang mga problema ng lipunan.
“Pagdating ng 2027, larga na kung sino gusto tumakbo,” he added.
On a personal note, Lambino expressed interest in working with Robin as an actor. In the 1990s, he partnered with the late Mayor Ace Manalang of Tarlac to produce several hits under their Crystal Films, including “Talahib at Rosas” with Joko Diaz and Maricel Morales. Lambino also served as a lawyer for FAMAS and the late actor Eddie Garcia. He is planning a remake of director Eddie Romero’s “Lahi sa Lahi, Hari sa Hari” (1987), a film that tells the story of the journey of Sulu Sultan Paduka Pahala to China.
“I want to revive the history of Philippines-China relations,” he said.
“Mahaba na ang ugnayan ng Pilipinas, hindi lang 50 years. It’s more than 1000 years. Actually, official records of formal relations between the Philippines and China date back to the 1400s.”
Lambino envisions Robin starring as Sulu Sultan Paduka Pahala, who formed a strong bond with Chinese Emperor Zhu Di during his visit to Beijing. After the sultan’s death in Dezhou, the emperor ordered the construction of a monument in his honor.
“Sultan Paduka Pahala had three wives in the movie. Ako na ang magpapalam kay Mariel [Padilla, Robin’s wife],” Lambino said.
