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Sen. Robinhood Padilla attends a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, September 23, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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SENATE PROBE- FLOOD CONTROL ANOMALIES

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177121650264220250923-senate-probe-flood-control-padilla-marcoleta-JC3749.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Robinhood Padilla attends a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, September 23, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Robinhood Padilla, who recently drew flak over his comments on mental health, is “often misunderstood”, his top aide said Monday. </p><p>Padilla last week <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/padilla-calls-today-s-youth-weak-warns-of-effects-of-social-media-1745">described today’s youth as “weak,”</a> saying that during his time, depression was not a common word. </p><p>“Senator Robin Padilla is often misunderstood by many,” said Padilla’s chief of staff Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado. </p><p>“The Senator’s record shows a consistent willingness to engage in difficult conversations and legislative reforms based on what he believes to be in the national interest, regardless of political consequences,” he added.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/makabayan-lawmakers-call-out-padilla-totoo-ang-mental-health-crisis-1051">Lawmakers call out Padilla&#x27;s &#x27;weak&#x27; youth remark: &#x27;Totoo ang mental health crisis&#x27;</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/-nakakagalit-gen-z-er-chides-robin-padilla-for-calling-today-s-youth-weak-1120">&#x27;Nakakagalit!&#x27; Gen Z&#x27;er chides Robin Padilla for calling today&#x27;s youth &#x27;weak&#x27;</a></div><p>Jurado noted that Padilla has pushed for an anti-dynasty law despite belonging to a political family and even though the measure could affect his political allies, including those in Mindanao and in the Bangsamoro. </p><p>He said Padilla supported discussions on a parliamentary form of government or federalism, “even when such advocacy may not align with certain political interests.” </p><p>The senator “has taken positions on matters such as medical cannabis, divorce, civil unions, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old, the Sabah claim, charter change and the proposed ban on social media use among minors (16 years old and below) — issues that are often sensitive and deeply divisive, matters where angels themselves fear to tread,” his aide added. </p><p>“As someone who has worked closely with him for years, I can say that the Senator does not hesitate to raise and advocate for issues that others may consider taboo, unpopular, or politically risky. He does so even when these positions may run counter to his own political interests, his allies, or prevailing public sentiment,” Jurado said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2026/2/12/tagging-people-with-mental-health-conditions-weak-is-dangerous-expert-warns-2016">Tagging people with mental health conditions ‘weak’ is dangerous, expert warns</a></div><div><iframe width="1022" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NmecXlK4O-E" title="&#x27;Hindi kami iyakin&#x27;: Robin Padilla calls today&#x27;s youth &#x27;weak&#x27; compared to his generation" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0AyL2c2_Erw" title="Sen. Robin Padilla di pipirma sa Blue Ribbon report | DZMM TeleRadyo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Sen. Robinhood Padilla, who recently drew flak over his comments on mental health, is “often misunderstood”, his top aide said Monday.</p>

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, who recently drew flak over his comments on mental health, is “often misunderstood”, his top aide said Monday.

Robin Padilla ‘often misunderstood’, says top aide

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Robin Padilla ‘often misunderstood’, says top aide

ABS-CBN News

Published February 16, 2026 12:39 PM PHT

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