Showbiz personality Angel Locsin was praised for speaking out against actor-turned-senator Robin Padilla, who claimed to be a “communist” while challenging the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc.
Padilla touched on the so-called “Operation Romanov” mentioned in Vice President Sara Duterte‘s 2024 press conference, which allegedly involved grave threats and inciting to sedition and is being tackled as Article IV of the impeachment complaint against her.
During the trial on Tuesday, July 14, the senator discussed the historical background of the Romanovs, Russia’s last imperial dynasty, who were executed by communist revolutionaries amid public anger over corruption, economic hardship and wars.
Padilla then connected the topic to past Philippine presidents who fought communist movements.
“Kasi po, katabi ko ang isa sa Marcos family,” he said, referring to Sen. Imee Marcos.
“Alam naman po natin lahat… si Apo Lakay Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ang number one na lumaban sa komunista dito sa Pilipinas,” Padilla added, referring to Imee’s father.
Padilla then said that former President Rodrigo Duterte was another president who had fought communists and suggested that the “Romanov” reference should be viewed as a threat to political families leading anti-communist campaigns.
“Komunista po ako, ha,” the senator said.
“Hindi ba po dapat isipin natin ‘yung Romanov ay tungkol sa threat na pumapasok sa mga pamilya na mga namumuno dito sa ating bayan na lumalaban sa komunista?” Padilla added.
Lotoc declined to adopt the senator’s interpretation, saying that the question of whether there was an “Operation Romanov” could be answered by the NBI director.
Meanwhile, Padilla’s declaration that he is a “communist” drew a reaction from Locsin, one of his colleagues in showbiz, who had been red-tagged during the Duterte administration.
She initially praised Padilla for being “honest” and for being his outspoken self, but questioned his absence when she was accused of being a communist sympathizer over her advocacy and humanitarian work.
“Ang tanong ko lang, nasaan ka nung panahong nirered-tag ako kahit alam mong hindi totoo? Actually, kasama mo pa nga at kachikahan ‘yung mga nangre-red-tag. Naghugas-kamay at pumikit sa katotohanan,” Locsin said.
The actress also called out Padilla over his views on accused sex offender Apollo Quiboloy and his stances that favor China amid its activities in the West Philippine Sea.
“Isa sa mga pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit ka binoto ng maraming Pilipino ay dahil inasahan nilang magiging matapang kang boses para sa mga kapatid nating Muslim. Pero bakit parang mas ipinaglalaban mo pa si Quiboloy? Naniniwala ka ba talaga na siya ang ‘appointed son of God’?” Locsin wrote.
“Isa ka sa pinaka-makabayang taong nakilala. Ikaw si Andres Bonifacio. Kaya nakakalungkot ‘pag nakakabasa ako ng stand mo pagdating sa China. Hindi ito ang Robin Padilla na nakilala at hinangaan ko,” she added.
The actress then urged Padilla to “wake up,” adding that it is not too late for him to change.
“Kahit paano, alam kong halos pareho tayong landas na dinaanan. Galing sa hirap, nagtrababo ng maaga, tinangkilik at nakapagpasaya ng mga tao. Ang utang na loob natin ay sa ating diyos at sa lahat ng Pilipino — hindi lamang sa isang tao.
Tama na, Kuya. Gising na. Hindi pa huli ang lahat,” Locsin said.
Her post received 150,000 likes and reactions, 23,000 shares and 13,200 comments from Filipinos, with many praising her for calling out the senator.
“Angel Locsin, as usual, mas may sense at talino kesa sa maraming elected officials na nakaupo sa senado. Ganitong babae ang dapat hinahangaan, pinaniniwalaan, pinapakinggan,” an online user said.
“Salamat sa kaisog at katapatan mo, Ms. Angel Locsin! Napakahirap magsalita lalo na kapag kaibigan o dating kasamahan ang sangkot, pero pinili mo pa ring tumayo para sa katotohanan. Respeto pero may matinding paninindigan, isang tunay na ehemplo,” another wrote.
“Very well said, Angel Locsin. Ang ganyang tapang para manindigan sa bayan at sa kung ano ang tama. Saludo ako sayo,” a different Pinoy commented.
“Salute sayo, Ms. Angel, for standing [for] what is right and for our country. In a time when many choose silence or convenience, your courage to speak and act with integrity deserves recognition. At sana ay gawing ehemplo ng marami. ‘Wag magbulag-bulagan sa totoong nangyayari sa ating bayan. Ms. Angel Locsin, your stand for what is right is a contribution that will always be worthy of respect and admiration,” another said.
“Sana dumami pa ‘yung mga taong kagaya ni Ms. Angel na naninindigan sa tama,” a different Pinoy wrote.
“Thank you for speaking up, Miss Angel! Sabi nga nila, ‘give someone power, and you’ll see their true character,'” another said.
“Thank you, Ms. Angel Locsin, kailangan ang boses ng mga kagaya mo ngayon,” a different said.
Angel was previously red-tagged by some military officials during the Duterte administration, who claimed that her outreach activities and criticism of corruption were indicators that she was a supposed communist or a communist sympathizer.
She and her network, ABS-CBN, denied the accusations, saying that “doing humanitarian activities and speaking one’s mind do not make one a member of a communist group.”
Angel has continued using her platform to speak against corruption and call for good governance.
