Senator-elect Robin Padilla is ready to join debates in the Senate but said he prefers Filipino or Tagalog over English language.
At the legislative briefing on Tuesday, June 14, Padilla expressed his readiness to face his fellow senators during debates at the plenary.
“One-hundred percent,” said the actor-turned-politician when asked whether he is ready enough to join debates in the incoming 19th Congress.
However, the incoming senator admitted he would use Filipino language and not English since he will not be squaring off with an American.
“Tagalog… una, hindi naman Amerikano mga kaharap ko para mag-English ako. Siguro kung Amerikano, well I’m willing to debate. Pero mga Tagalog sila eh ‘di Tagalog tayo,” Padilla explained.
Padilla, known in the local entertainment industry as the ‘Bad Boy of Philippine Movies’, topped the recently-concluded senatorial election with more than 26 million votes.
He is expected to head the committee on constitutional amendments in the next Senate; a committee traditionally assigned to a senator who has extensive legal background.
As part of his preparation in his new role as a lawmaker, Padilla said he has enrolled himself at the Development Academy of the Philippines.
He will also be hiring a team of lawyers to guide him in the process of preparing legislations. Earlier, Padilla said veteran lawyer and Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo will be among his advisers.
The neophyte senator also maintained he is up to the task as a legislator despite critics doubting his capabilities.
“Mabigat ‘yon kung hindi mo alam ‘yung gagawin mo. Pero ako naman, alam ko naman ang gagawin ko,” he told reporters.
“Hindi naman ako nabibigatan. Ang nabibigatan ‘yung taumbayan kasi kailangan na nilang baguhin yung saligang batas natin,” Padilla added.
The actor also reiterated that real progress can only be achieved through charter change.
“Kung gusto natin talaga na magkaroon ng tunay na pagbabago, mga mahal kong kababayan, yakapin na natin talaga ang charter change,” Padilla said.