Senate Robinhood “Robin” Padilla’s chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, on Monday, February 16 defended the senator, saying he is “often misunderstood by many” in his views on several issues.

Senator Robinhood Padilla (Senate PRIB photo)

Jurado made the statement after Padilla earned flak for calling the youth “weak” amid rising suicide cases, and saying that the word “depression” did not exist during his time in a recent Senate hearing.

“Senator Robin Padilla is often misunderstood by many. As someone who has worked closely with him for years, I can say that the Senator does not hesitate to raise and advocate for issues that others may consider taboo, unpopular, or politically risky,” Jurado said in a statement.

“He does so even when these positions may run counter to his own political interests, his allies, or prevailing public sentiment,” he pointed out.

For instance, Jurado pointed out that on the issue of political dynasty, the Senator has pushed for one of the strictest versions of the proposed legislation — extending prohibitions up to the fourth degree.

This is despite the fact that he himself belongs to a political family and that such a measure may affect political allies, including those in Mindanao and in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Padilla has also openly supported discussions on a parliamentary form of government or federalism, even when such advocacy may not align with certain political interests, the lawyer noted.

Likewise, the senator has taken positions on matters such as medical cannabis, divorce, civil unions, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old, the Sabah claim, Charter change and the proposed ban on social media use among minors (16 years old and below) —" issues that are often sensitive and deeply divisive, matters where angels themselves fear to tread.”

“The Senator’s record shows a consistent willingness to engage in difficult conversations and legislative reforms based on what he believes to be in the national interest, regardless of political consequences,” he pointed out.