Robin Padilla admitted that even he himself was taken by surprise that he is leading the initial vote tally for the 2022 senatorial elections.
The action star quickly became a hot topic on social media Monday night as he took the lead in the country’s senatorial race, based on the partial, unofficial results from the Commission on Elections transparency server.
In an interview with DZMM’s Teleradyo, Robin revealed why he did not expect to top the senate polls.
“Kahit sa magandang panaginip, hindi ko naramdaman o naisip na ako ay mangunguna na karera na ito, sa pagiging senador. Una, wala naman po akong makinarya, wala naman po akong pera, wala po ako lahat,” said Robin.
Robin, who placed third in the survey conducted by Pulse Asia from April 16 to 21, believes it’s not his popularity as an actor that secured him a top spot in the senatorial race.
“Hindi naman po ako naniniwala na nanalo ako dahil ako’y si Robin Padilla. Eh hindi po ‘yan. Huwag po nating paniwalaan ‘yan. Ang paniwalaan natin ay ako po ay nakasama diyan — maging No.1 o No. 2 o maging No. 3, tayo po ay napunta diyan para isulong ang pederalismo. Iyan po ang asahan ninyo. Hindi po ako diyan magiging bingi, hindi po ako diyan magiging pipi.”
The actor, who has long been vocal of his support for federalism, also vowed to take action and push for the shift to the federal government once elected.
“Kung gaano po ako kaingay noong ako’y artista lang, noong wala pong nakikinig sa akin, ito pong lalo na na nagkaroon tayo ng plataporma. Nagkaroon po tayo ng sinasabi nating pagtitiwala po ninyo at ako’y iniluklok ninyo, mas marami po tayong masasabi,” said Robin.
Robin previously got the endorsement of President Duterte and Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte’s Uniteam tandem.
Meanwhile, proud wife Mariel has thanked those who voted for her husband.
“My Senator ? is #1 ??? we are beyond grateful!!! Pilipinas, maraming maraming salamat,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
