Robin Padilla (INQUIRER)
MANY felt for action star Robin Padilla who was not able to travel with his wife Mariel Rodriguez to the United States to give birth to their first child.
The actor could only watch online when her wife went into labor until she gave birth to daughter Maria Isabella.
He was unable to obtain a US visa because of a legal impediment.
Baby Isabella is Mariel’s first child. She is Robin’s seventh. The actor has four grown-up children with former wife Liezl Sycangco. He also has a child each with actresses Jobelle Salvador and Leah Orosa.
Just as this new blessing happened to Robin’s family, another one comes as he had been granted presidential absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with his conviction for illegal possession of firearms in 1994.
The pardon was granted upon the recommendation of the Board of Parole, which is under the Department of Justice.
That would mean that Robin now has his political and civil rights fully restored. He can exercise his right to vote and seek public office, aside from his right to travel and be issued a Philippine passport.
Robin was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1994. In 1997, he was pardoned by President Ramos and released from jail. But his pardon was not absolute.
“Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganitong liwanag,” a visibly ecstatic Robin said in a pocket press conference.