Pres Duterte Grants Absolute Pardon to Robin Padilla

President Rodrigo Duterte granted actor Robin Padilla absolute pardon on November 15. After being convicted for an illegal possessions charge in 1994, Padilla will get back his civil and political rights because of this executive clemency. The president shared his decision to the press after his meeting with Padilla on Tuesday night.

Padilla started serving his sentence after his conviction, but then President Fidel V. Ramos gave him conditional pardon. This allowed him to get out of jail. Conditional pardon however does not allow him to vote or to travel.

Right To Travel Restored

According to an ABS-CBN report, Duterte felt that the actor has suffered enough. He also noted that it is important for him to have his rights back, such as the right to vote and to travel.

An earlier Pilipinas Popcorn report cited Padilla’s inability to acquire a U.S. visa in time for Mariel Rodriguez’ birth. As expected, his 1994 criminal charge may have been the reason why he was only on the waitlist of the U.S. Embassy.

This executive clemency paves the way for the actor to apply for a visa and if granted, allow him to join his wife and their newborn baby soon.

Robin Padilla’s Quest For A U.S. Visa

The actor’s quest to be granted a Tourist Visa to the U.S. can be tracked on social media particularly Instagram. Robin has taken to post updates about what is happening through his account.

One week ago, he posted a short video clip on Instagram. With him in the background, the video clip also showed the letter he received from the Department of Homeland Security. The letter showed the department’s denial of his request for “parole for humanitarian reasons.”

Watch: Robin Posts Denial Notice on Instagram

Pareng @jingmonis may kalungkutan ang HUMANITARIAN PAROLE ko pero may last chance pa raw ako IN SHAA ALLAH -from elizabeth vidanes <elizabethavidanes@gmail.com> Forwarded message from Linggit_Tan@abs-cbn.com Hi Ms. Betchay, Please see below reply from Eden. Thank you. Regards Maville – Hi Linggit, Thank you for your email. I suggest that Mr. Robin Padilla should write a letter directly to the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit following up on his visa case. He can send email to consmanilaniv@state.gov Thank you. Eden -Nov 3,2016 from whatsapp @marieltpadilla Forward message of our immigration lawyer. I am sending in another request to the Embassy to urgently process Robin’s visa, because you are already in the US, about to give birth, have a history of miscarriages, and desperately want him to be by your side. Besides, this request has been pending for over a year. Will keep you posted.—– Michael J Gurfinkel

A video posted by robin padilla (@robinhoodpadilla) on Nov 2, 2016 at 7:19pm PDT

As a final attempt to get a visa, he posted another Instagram video of a Skype call with Mariel. Together with the video, he shared his letter to the Non-immigrant Visa Section of the embassy. He said in his final plea that his “American wife is giving birth soon and she needs me more than ever.”

Watch: Robin Shares US Embassy Letter 

Dear Sir/Madame Greetings of Peace!!! I am Mr Robinhood Padilla 46 years old born on the 23rd of November 1969 a Natural born Filipino ?? of spanish ??ancestry and considered a big tax payer citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. I am writing your good office upon the recommendation of my Employer ABSCBN ? multi media network in connection with their letter of support and willingness to sign a waiver of guarantee to advance and bring progress to my long plea of Acquiring a Tourist Visa. It is actually an honor for me to be just on the wait and not pressure your good office just to prove my very positive and good Intentions to the United States of America but my situation right of this moment is urgent. My American Wife is giving birth soon and she needs me more than ever Vice versa. I pray that your good office will find merit on this latest development regarding my US Visa Application.. God bless America ??

A video posted by robin padilla (@robinhoodpadilla) on Nov 7, 2016 at 1:35am PST

Like PilipinasPopcorn on Facebook for more updates. To send feedback or contribute your stories, email editor@pilipinaspopcorn.com.