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
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
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