Rommel Padilla

Rommel Cariño Padilla, who is known for starring in the Philippine movies Lorenzo's Time (2012), Totoy Golem (1996) and Kahit Demonyo Itutumba Ko (2000) is a Filipino actor, model, businessman, politician, and movie producer. He was born on January 4, 1966 to late Governor Roy Padilla, Sr. and actress Eva Cariño.

Padilla's siblings from the same parents are: Royette Padilla, the eldest of the boys; followed by BB Gandanghari (born as Rustom Padilla); and Robin Padilla the youngest of the boys. All four Padilla brothers comprise the Padilla Clan of Philippine show business in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which is popularly known for their action films and charisma with the ladies.

Personal life

Rommel is married to Anabelle Antonio of Angeles, Pampanga whom he had children with, RJ Padilla, Matt Padilla, and Roanna Padilla. While Rommel was in jail and appealing his case in late 1998, Anabelle had to work for their children on his behalf. She was a bassist in Japan while their children was in Rommel's sister, Rowena Padilla's care in Kidapawan, Mindanao for six years. ^[5]

The teen-idol, musician, and actor Daniel Padilla is Padilla's son with singer-actress Karla Estrada. On a 1990 day, Rommel met Karla Estrada (who he still calls "Ling") at the Viva Office at work. The next day, they're on, Karla said. ^[6] Rommel in prison, Karla gave birth to Daniel and took their child for him to see for the first time after 3 years.

“Muslim ako like Robin, ‘di ba? Kaya pwede akong mag-asawa ng higit sa isa. I married Daniel’s mom. Si Robin pa ang nagkasal sa amin,”^[7] (I'm a Muslim just like Robin [Padilla], am I not? That allows me to marry more than one woman. I married Daniel's mom [Karla], and it was Robin who wed us.) - Rommel Padilla

Rommel is said to be friends with his wives, and his children from them has no friction as they treat each other "whole" brothers/sisters, not "half".^[8]

1996 Arrest

Arrest

On October 27, 1996 at around 10:30 p.m., in front of a convenience store at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue Extension and De Castro Avenue in Brgy Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Padilla, and his flight steward friend Frederick Luna were arrested by East Police District-Drug Enforcement Unit.

The policemen had just finished a drug bust operation when they found a .45 caliber handgun tucked in Luna's waistband. 100 grams of dried marijuana leaves was also found on him. Padilla got off his Nissan Sentra car to reportedly intervene for his friend's release. The lawmen searched his car and found in the passenger seat the .22 Magnum machine pistol that caused them to charge him of illegal possession of firearms. Padilla told police he was on his way to shoot scenes for his upcoming movie Dimas at Magdalena in that night when they stopped by the store.^[9]

On October 29, 1996, Padilla was released after posting a Php 120,000 bail. He was accompanied by: his mother, Eva Carino; his girlfriend at the time, Jean Garcia; and his other relatives.

On November 12, 1996, the Pasig Regional Trial Court ruled Padilla's right for the 45-day reinvestigation of the charges after the motion was filed by Robert Padilla, his counsel and elder brother based on his client's inquest without their counter-affidavit. Luna's defending lawyer Rene Saquisag stressed his client's innocence by stating that the arresting policemen had "planted" the evidence against them.^[10]

Conviction and time sentence

On May 20, 1998, Judge Esperanza Fabon-Victorino of the Pasig Regional Trial Court convicted and sentenced Padilla to 8 years imprisonment at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinglupa for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He went into hiding after the fact but eventually surrendered on June 2, 1998 accompanied by his younger brother Robin Padilla and fellow actor George Estregan.^[11] His lawyers believed he will not go to jail if he surrenders himself before June 4 to file a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeals but the same ruling judge Victorino denied them for Padilla's violation of the conditions for his bail, and for not appearing in court despite due notice. Padilla's fugitive status while he went into hiding shortly before he was sentenced did not help secure his motion for bail.^[12]

Release

On February 19, 1999, while serving time in the New Bilibid Prisons and appealing his conviction, he was released for Php 150,000 bail allowed by the Court of Appeals. Again, his mother, Eva Carino took him home after saying "I will will [sic] make sure that Rommel will not be involved in any trouble while he is out of jail,".^[13] Padilla said he wishes to do movies again and dedicate his time for family.

Controversy

While in jail, reports said that he slashed his wrists at his cell to try suicide, and the questionable relationship with his half-sister had caused scandalous confrontations with his mother.^[14]

Political career

His political inclinations can be traced from his grandfather, Jose Padilla Sr., who was governor of Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines and his father, Roy Padilla, Sr. (born Casimiro Padilla) was a Governor of the Philippines province of Camarines Norte, Bicol Region.

Padilla was a board member in 2007 and ran for the vice governorship of Nueva Ecija in 2010,^[15] but lost to Gp Padiernos.,^[16] In 2016, he ran as board member in Nueva Ecija's 1st district and won as senior board member of said district.

Filmography

TV shows

Movies

References