In an interview with ANC, Robin Padilla claimed that he has passed a law dubbed as the “Robin Padilla Law” despite not being a legislator, and even behind bars. A clip of his interview was posted on Padilla’s Facebook page on April 11 with a caption claiming that the actor-turned-politician has been creating laws even before becoming a legislator. 

A similar video was reuploaded on Facebook on the same date and also gained considerable traction. 

CLAIM:

Robin Padilla drafted and passed ‘Padilla Law’ while in prison 

RATING:

FALSE 

FACTS: 

Article VI Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution states that, “The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.” Padilla, not being a member of the Senate or the Congress, cannot draft, pass, or legislate laws. 

The law that Padilla refers to is Republic Act 8294, a law which amended provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866 that lowers the penalties imposed on cases of illegal possession of firearms, the exact criminal violation Padilla was charged with in 1992 and subsequently convicted for in 1994. Padilla was involved in a hit-and-run incident, where he was later apprehended for possession of unlicensed high-powered firearms with live ammunition.  

President Fidel Ramos granted Padilla conditional pardon in 1998, and in 2016 President Rodrigo Duterte granted him absolute pardon. 

There is no proof to support Padilla’s claim of his involvement as a non-legislator in the whole legislative process for RA 8294. 

WHY THIS MATTERS: 

As of writing, the post in question on Padilla’s official Facebook page has 67,000 reactions, 2,000 comments, and 745,000 views. – Adrian Pulgo & Dan Navarro 

Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph. 

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