MANILA, Philippines — Actress Bela Padilla addressed growing criticism over her association with her uncle, Senator Robin Padilla, clarifying that his inclusion in the action-drama series "Blood vs Duty" was not influenced by her and stressing that their political beliefs differ.
In a statement posted Thursday on X following recent tensions surrounding the Senate, Bela said she felt compelled to speak after being repeatedly questioned online about both her uncle’s casting in the series and the ongoing controversy involving Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.
“Growing up, my tito Robin was kind to me and my family. I will be forever grateful for this. But as our careers flourished and took different directions, with him entering politics, our personal encounters have become scarcer. Our ideologies also differed," Bela wrote.
The actress emphasized that she has little personal interaction with the senator today.
“I do not live close to my uncle. I haven’t seen tito Robin until we shared the same call time last Friday. Before then, I saw him 3 years ago,” she said.
Bela also denied having any involvement in Robin Padilla’s casting in "Blood vs Duty," which also stars Gerald Andersonand Richard Gutierrez.
“My uncle being cast in the show was neither because of my influence nor my being part of the cast. 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," she explained.
The actress reiterated that while she remains thankful for her uncle’s kindness, his political affiliations do not reflect her own views.
“My uncle’s political affiliation has nothing to do with my personal beliefs and convictions. We are related but we manage to agree to disagree," ”lshe wrote.
Before releasing the statement, Bela responded to a social media user who questioned why she had spoken about the case involving Dela Rosa while supposedly remaining silent about her uncle.
“Sorry, but, what? I’m also assigned projects too. Inwas cast in this project in December. My uncle was added on recently. I have no power whatsoever in casting decisions,” she replied.
She added, "We work and are managed separately.”
The online discussion intensified following a chaotic week inside the Senate involving Dela Rosa, who recently resurfaced after months away from public view amid reports of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Public attention also turned toward Dela Rosa after viral clips circulated online showing heated moments inside the Senate. Bela later reposted commentary questioning the senator’s behavior during the incident and criticizing prolonged absences from Senate sessions.