Senator Robin Hood “Robin” Padilla was among other things that were missing from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa. A number of the Senate’s minority members also did not go, but Padilla explained that “this is not a political protest, it is something that I have decided and I have to honor my family’s wishes.
The actor and now senator clarified that going to the SONA would come with a problem for him as he was personally friends with President Marcos Jr. and did not want to end up in an awkward situation as their actions in the speech could be construed as disrespectful towards President Marcos Jr.
Friendship with President Marcos Influenced His Decision
Padilla noted he was “very worried about lawmakers giving the President a standing ovation during the speech. While he was seated in opposition to the others, he was expressing appreciation of their friendship, but not the right one with applauding the others instead.
He said he didn’t want to offend the President, Marcos, by giving the impression that he is demeaning him in public. Padilla chose not to do this because to create an awkward moment in the plenary hall would have been better.
Pre-Scheduled Family Commitment
In addition to protocol matters, Padilla noted that he had an appointment that he was away from the event to attend. Because the commitment already had been obtained prior to the SONA, he said, it could not be delayed.
Padilla, however, de-emphasized that he would still be delivering the President’s message via television and other radio and television mediums. His lack of attendance had nothing to do with his not listening to the national address, he said.
Not a Political Protest
They also denied the suggestion that his absence was meant to be a political statement against the administration and the senator has denied inside the state that he was leaving the senate with the intention of showing it to them. He clarified in his 2026 decision how it differs from 2025 when he opted not to attend the SONA amidst his stance on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s and the International Criminal Court cases.
This year, Padilla responded that it was more about his personal decision than political. It was his first priority to not put a less than ideal situation with a close buddy,” he said.
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Part of a Wider Senate Minority Absence
The boycott by the Senate minority, whose lead was also being provided by Padilla, came at a time when the boycott had spread outwards and was happening on an international scale. Then, several Senators including Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Loren Legarda and Mark Villar also boycotted the President’s speech.
Some lawmakers, however, openly expressed that their absence was a way of protesting at still-understanding legal and political issues, as opposed to Padilla. These choices added yet another layer of meaning to this year’s SONA proceedings that took the political nature of the event to another level.
FAQs
Why did Robin Padilla decide to skip SONA 2026?
Besides a previously scheduled family engagement, he said he was avoiding an altercation with President Marcos Jr., who he refers to as a personal friend, in SONA, which he regarded as “tricky.”
Did it mean that Robin Padilla was protesting the President?
No. Padilla said that he was not going to stage a political protest. He explained his decision was because of his inner emotions, and “respect for the President”.
Was it symbolic of the reversal of the course when Robin Padilla sat on the podium to observe the SONA?
Yes. The senator said that he will keep a check and listen to the President’s address on TV or radio.
