Actor-politician Sen. Robin Padilla faced severe backlash from numerous netizens for his refusal to acknowledge criticisms regarding his hand gesture during the singing of the national anthem at President Marcos Jr.’s 2023 State of the Nation Address.
In response to the criticism, Padilla issued a fresh threat, declaring that he would “rather resign” from his position as a senator than be dictated on how he practices his faith. He claimed that his hand gesture during the national anthem was a Muslim gesture called “Kalima La Illaha Ilalah.”
Some netizens, like @henryFrancisBE1 and @IamCharotism, meanwhile , shared insights about “Kalima La Illaha Ilalah,” trying to provide context and understanding.
According to @henryFrancisBE1, “The raising of finger to recite Kalima (Creed) is done during “tashahhud” (testification) in Muslim prayer. I asked Muslim imams & ulama (scholars) if Kalima or tashahhud can be done during the National Anthem & they all say that it’s bid’ah (sacrilege) & dalala (error) to do so.”
The raising of finger to recite Kalima (Creed) is done during "tashahhud" (testification) in Muslim prayer. I asked Muslim imams & ulama (scholars) if Kalima or tashahhud can be done during the National Anthem & they all say that it's bid'ah (sacrilege) & dalala (error) to do so. https://t.co/Klhzy2MEh0
— Henry Francis B. Espiritu (@HenryFrancisBE1) July 27, 2023
@IamCharotism shared the same in a tweet response to a netizen who defended Padilla’s claim. The twitter account remarked, “My dear, the term “La ilaha illallah” means “there’s no God but God”. Robin was singing the National Anthem and not praying. Filipino citizens are obliged to sing while the right palm is placed over the left chest. Again, “palm ” not “close fist”. And for individuals, whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from singing the national anthem, as a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag if there is one displayed. Charot!”
My dear, the term “La ilaha illallah” means “there's no God but God”. Robin was singing the National Anthem and not praying. Filipino citizens are obliged to sing while the right palm is placed over the left chest. Again, "palm " not "close fist". And for individuals, whose faith… https://t.co/m0j5q7O3Ah
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) July 27, 2023
Meanwhile, many other netizens also criticized Padilla for his seeming ignorance of basic customs and his own religious practices.
In a tweet, theater and TV actor Bart Guingona slammed Padilla for not comprehending and practicing the fundamental democratic principle of the separation of church and state. He expressed concern that such individuals, solely relying on their popularity, rule over the people despite their lack of understanding.
He noted, “A lawmaker that can’t understand and practice the basic democratic tenet of separation of church and state. We’re really at the mercy of an ignorant electorate that keeps inflicting people like these upon us. Who rule over us by virtue of their popularity and nothing else.”
A lawmaker that can’t understand and practice the basic democratic tenet of separation of church and state. We’re really at the mercy of an ignorant electorate that keeps inflicting people like these upon us. Who rule over us by virtue of their popularity and nothing else. https://t.co/5tveY5vePS
— Bart Guingona (@guingonabart) July 27, 2023
Netizens @yisafunctionofx and @akazukinchan2x described Padilla’s gesture as “performative,” suggesting that it was merely a show for public attention.
“A religious gesture performed while signifying allegiance to a secular state, to what end? I think this is one of those times when we can actually use the word “performative”,” – @yisafunctionofx
A religious gesture performed while signifying allegiance to a secular state, to what end?
I think this is one of those times when we can actually use the word "performative". https://t.co/PknFd8k6nv
— Yes I took that test twice. (@yisafunctionofx) July 27, 2023
“i really love robin padilla’s fascination with cultural images and practices kasi his fascination gets excercised in the most superficial way possible. wala siyang sense of gravity for so many things. like from bonifacio to now this. lahat parang ornamental lang for him,” – @akazukinchan2x
i really love robin padilla's fascination with cultural images and practices
kasi his fascination gets excercised in the most superficial way possible. wala siyang sense of gravity for so many things.
like from bonifacio to now this. lahat parang ornamental lang for him. https://t.co/3fYlcSqIht
— Friend of G. Tongie (@akazukinchan2x) July 27, 2023
https://twitter.com/karenvaughn_/status/1684488944849932289
“It will be our pleasure if you resign,” – @pinaysipatricia
https://twitter.com/pinaysipatricia/status/1684344265768599552
@PingpingTweets reminded Padilla of the Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which might be relevant to his situation.
Mr @robinpadilla23 who apparently is a member of the @senatePH, with all respect to your religion, which is a most reverent one, hope you have heard about:
“Republic Act No. 8491 otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines states that reverence and respect… pic.twitter.com/9V6kcyZSwT
— Pingping Will Tweet (@PingpingTweets) July 27, 2023
This was not the first instance in which Padilla threatened to resign from his position. He previously made a similar threat during the height of the Charter Change move, promising to step down if the cha-cha did not push through in the Senate.
However, when the cha-cha proposal eventually failed in the Senate, Padilla did not fulfill his earlier threat.
