Bela Padilla distances herself from uncle Robin Padilla’s politics

The actress says she had no role in the senator’s casting in “Blood vs Duty,” drawing a line between family ties, professional work and personal convictions

MANILA — Actress Bela Padilla has distanced herself from the politics of Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla after online criticism followed his casting in the action-drama series “Blood vs Duty.”

Bela Padilla is the senator’s niece by second-degree consanguinity. Her maternal grandmother is the sister of Robin Padilla’s mother, Eva Cariño.

In a public statement reported by Philippine entertainment outlets on Thursday, May 14, Bela said Robin’s political affiliation “has nothing to do” with her own beliefs and convictions. She also denied having any role in the senator’s inclusion in the series.

“My uncle being cast in the show was neither because of my influence nor my being part of the cast,” Bela said. “I was cast in December. He is a recent addition to the show. This decision is purely the prerogative of the executive and supervising producers of the show.”

The statement came after viewers questioned Robin’s appearance in “Blood vs Duty,” a series that also stars Richard Gutierrez and Gerald Anderson. Reports said some online users criticized the production for giving the senator a platform at a time when he has drawn renewed political scrutiny.

Bela also described her relationship with Robin as limited in recent years, saying she had not seen him for about three years before they shared a call time for the show. She acknowledged their family connection but said their ideologies differ.

“We are related but we manage to agree to disagree,” she said.

Bela had previously addressed the same family-political divide in a September 2025 ABS-CBN interview, saying she does not agree with her uncle’s ideologies and that, while she respects him as family, she “would do things differently” if she were in his position. The earlier comments provide context for her latest statement, which again separates her personal convictions from the senator’s politics.

Robin Padilla, a former action star, serves as a senator of the Philippines.

His casting in “Blood vs Duty” drew attention because of the long overlap between Philippine entertainment and politics, where prominent actors have crossed into public office and public officials often retain visibility in show business.

For Bela, the issue centered on professional independence. Her statement did not attack her uncle personally, but sought to separate her work as an actress from the political positions and public controversies associated with him.