Many social media personalities expressed their outrage over Senator Robin Padilla’s recent statement regarding martial law.
During the Senate hearing on Tuesday, September 12, Padilla proposed a law to declare September 21 a non-working holiday to commemorate the unsung heroes of martial law.
The newly-elected senator argued that there was only one prevailing narrative about martial law. He pointed out that in the 1970s, communism was a significant force in Southeast Asia, and martial law was declared to protect the country from a communist takeover. He believed it was essential to celebrate the sacrifices made by our soldiers during that era.
Padilla said, “Yung isang narrative ay ang martial law ay nagdulot ng pagliligtas sa ating bansa na tayo po ay maging communist country at marami din po tayong kasundaluhan ang nagbigay ng buhay para maligtas po ang ating bayan na tayo po ay makubkob ng mga komunista,” he said.
“Kung kinikilala niyo ‘yung bayani niyo diyan, meron ding bayani dito. Dapat din natin silang kilalanin.” he added.
However, this statement did not sit well with netizens and social media figures, who criticized Padilla for spreading inaccurate information.
Social activist and singer Leah Navarro, in a tweet, disagreed with Padilla, highlighting how martial law allowed the Marcos family to amass wealth from the government’s resources.
“There is no ‘other’ Martial Law narrative. Marcos’ Martial Law allowed him, his family, their cronies and sycophants to bleed our coffers dry, torture an kill Filipinos in opposition, bloated our national debt, caused millions to flee. That’s all true.
There is no “other” Martial Law narrative. Marcos’ Martial Law allowed him, his family, their cronies and sycophants to bleed our coffers dry, torture an kill Filipinos in opposition, bloated our national debt, caused millions to flee. That’s all true. https://t.co/ZMqjDvxZpr
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) September 12, 2023
Journalist Raissa Robles questioned whether Padilla’s senatorial campaign was funded by the Marcoses, raising suspicions about his comments on martial law.
“I wonder if Robin Padilla’s senatorial run was heavily funded by the Marcoses.”
I wonder if Robin Padilla's senatorial run was heavily funded by the Marcoses. https://t.co/BB3IARKniE
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) September 13, 2023
Theater and television actor Bart Guingona echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Padilla’s proposal appeared to be an attempt to curry favor with those in power in Malacañang.
“The Robinhood strikes again. His statements on Sept. 21 reek of partisan ignorance and asslicking. Why are we inflicted by “lawmakers” like these who are worthless? Groan”
The Robinhood strikes again. His statements on Sept. 21 reek of partisan ignorance and asslicking. Why are we inflicted by “lawmakers” like these who are worthless? Groan
— Bart Guingona (@guingonabart) September 13, 2023
Twitter user @leisbeth_recto criticized Padilla for his “stupidity.”
“Every time he opens his mouth, his display of stupidity never ceases to stupefy me. Laging nagkakalat ng kabobohan.”
Every time he opens his mouth, his display of stupidity never ceases to stupefy me.
Laging nagkakalat ng kabobohan.🤮
https://t.co/1RReX0X4PM— Leisbeth Recto (@leisbeth_recto) September 12, 2023
Rappler columnist and economist JC Punongbayan agreed, saying, “Omg ang bobo.”
Omg ang bobo.https://t.co/Gmj698y6NH
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) September 12, 2023
Activist Renato Reyes Jr. criticized the senator for spreading disinformation about one of the darkest periods in the country’s history during the 1970s.
“Senator Padilla should really stop proclaiming the virtues of Martial Law because he is already peddling disinformation. Martial Law was not about saving the nation from a so-called “communist threat”.
Senator Padilla should really stop proclaiming the virtues of Martial Law because he is already peddling disinformation. Martial Law was not about saving the nation from a so-called “communist threat”. https://t.co/hBXFERYP9i
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 13, 2023
@simply_clinton also reacted, correcting Padilla’s perspective. He stated that communism began to gain traction after the declaration of martial law.
“Haaaaa… tanga. Kaya dumami ang komunista dahil sa Martial Law.”
Haaaaa… tanga. Kaya dumami ang komunista dahil sa Martial Law. https://t.co/tMVUV9zlKm
— simply_clinton (@Simply_Clinton) September 13, 2023
Former party-list congressman Teddy Casino shared the same sentiment, pointing out that communism started to rise after martial law was imposed.
“Hindi simpleng labanan ng narratives ito. Usapin ito kung saan ka ba pumapanig, sa demokrasya o diktadura? Sa kalayaan o pagsiil ng karapatan? Sa malinis na pamamahala o pandarambong ng kabang yaman? Sa katunayan, dumami ang mga rebelde nung diktadura. Kasi MALI ANG MARTIAL LAW.”
Hindi simpleng labanan ng narratives ito. Usapin ito kung saan ka ba pumapanig, sa demokrasya o diktadura? Sa kalayaan o pagsiil ng karapatan? Sa malinis na pamamahala o pandarambong ng kabang yaman? Sa katunayan, dumami ang mga rebelde nung diktadura. Kasi MALI ANG MARTIAL LAW. https://t.co/SeDtJREc4O
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) September 13, 2023
Twitter influencer @iamcharotism reminded Padilla of his meeting with Joma Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“Sen. Robin Padilla diba ikaw ang tropa ni Joma Sison? Maganda ang unang hangarin ng Martial Law ngunit nalunod ang idolo mong si Marcos Sr. sa kapangyarihan kaya ayaw bitawan ang posisyon at saksi dito ang magulang ni FPPRRD na isa mo ding idolo kaya sila nag aklas. Charot!”
Sen. Robin Padilla diba ikaw ang tropa ni Joma Sison?
Maganda ang unang hangarin ng Martial Law ngunit nalunod ang idolo mong si Marcos Sr. sa kapangyarihan kaya ayaw bitawan ang posisyon at saksi dito ang magulang ni FPPRRD na isa mo ding idolo kaya sila nag aklas. Charot! pic.twitter.com/Lhzbj62Vvp
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) September 13, 2023
@helterskelt3rrr tweeted that Padilla should be grateful to the 1987 Constitution for the freedom to express such opinions without fear of punishment, unlike during the Martial Law era.
“Magpasalamat ka na lang sa 1987 constitution may kalayaan ka ngayong magkalat ng mga kashetan mo ng walang pag aalinlangan at takot na baka bigla ka na lang maglaho o bumulagta sa kalye. Katulad noong panahon ng martial law. :)”
https://twitter.com/helterskelt3rrr/status/1701532016569938263
Kapamilya writer Jerry Gracio humorously suggested that if Padilla believed in presenting alternative narratives, then perhaps there should be a “Satan holiday” as an alternative narrative to Christmas.
“Kung dapat dalawa lagi ang narrative, e di kung may Pasko, mag-celebrate na rin tayo ng birthday ni Satanas.”
Kung dapat dalawa lagi ang narrative, e di kung may Pasko, mag-celebrate na rin tayo ng birthday ni Satanas. https://t.co/HUTz5qaYFv
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) September 12, 2023