Robin ready to do his job as senator

SENATOR-elect Robin Padilla, who topped the recent May 9, 2022 national elections, outvoting veteran senators, both incumbent and returning senators, attended a briefing on the legislative process on Tuesday, June 14.

During the briefing, entitled Executive Mentoring on Legislative Governance: Setting the Tone for the First 100 Days in the 19th Congress, Padilla intently listened to legislative officials, led by Deputy Secretary Edwin Bellen, who discussed plenary procedures and processes at the committee level.

The first-time senator, who is advocating for a federal form of government, is poised to head the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development.

Padilla has also taken lessons at the Development Academy of the Philippines in preparation for his new mandate.

He was joined by Demaree Raval, a lawyer and a United Nations democratic governance advisor.

Before his election as a senator, the movie actor-turned-politician was the chairman of the strategic communications arm of the Philippine Army Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board.

Besides his push for federalism, Padilla had expressed opposition to tax incentives for foreign investors.

He also batted for wage increases for workers.

His proposal for community courts and his push for local business cooperatives and micro and small enterprises seem to show his predisposition to work for the interest of the masses.

Padilla is a holder of a bachelor's degree in criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology.

Talking to Senate reporters, he said he is now 100 percent ready to perform his duties as a senator, including debating with his fellow legislators using Tagalog, not English.

Padilla argued that he will be using Tagalog since he will be debating with fellow Filipino legislators, not Americans.

He clarified, however, that he will also be using English if there is a need for it.