Shame celebrity drug pushers but spare the users, says Robin Padilla

Actor Robin Padilla, who found himself in hot water last week when he said that Malacañang should not release their alleged list of celebrities involved in drugs, is clarifying his stand.

On Fri, Aug 20, Robin said that the Philippine National Police should have a dialogue with celebrity druggies first before announcing their names in public.

“Tandaan po natin, mga taxpayers din ho sila. Sana po mabigyan sila ng puwang dahil sila po ay biktima rin,” he said.

(We should remember artists are taxpayers, too. I hope they will be given some space because they are victims, too.) 

READ: Don’t release list of celebrity druggies, Robin Padilla asks Malacañang
READ: That’s entertainment: Police claim it has list of Bordador and boyfriend’s celebrity clients

A number of netizens did not take too kindly to Robin’s statement.

They astutely pointed out that celebrities shouldn’t get special treatment from Duterte when ordinary citizens and even politicians are already being publicly shamed left and right.

Yesterday, the actor, a vocal supporter of Duterte during the elections, clarified that his statement pertained to celebrity drug users who have not committed any crime.

“Kaya yung sinabi ko, huwag munang banggitin yung mga users, maliwanag po ang sinabi ko, user. Yung offenders, not the criminals. Pusher kasi criminal na ‘yan, o yung user na nakagawa ng crime, iba na ‘yun eh,” Robin told Rappler

(When I said don’t release the names of the users, I clearly said “users” — the offenders, not the criminals. Pushers and users who have committed crimes are criminals.)  

He also added that ordinary citizens who are merely using drugs should also be spared from public shaming.

Drug users, may they be celebrities or ordinary citizens, are victims and should be rehabilitated, Robin said.

Celebrity drug pushers, however, are a different story. 

“Kapag meron po kayong kilalang artista na nagpu-push ng drugs, sabihin niyo po sa akin. Ako mismo magsasabi kay Mayor (Duterte) at kay Bato (Chief Superintendent Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa),” he said.

(If you know a celebrity who is pushing drugs, tell me. I will personally tell Mayor and Bato.)

Robin added: “Sumama ka pa, hulihin natin, hiyain natin, kung gusto mo. Pero yung user? Come on, man, victim iyan.”

(Come with me, let’s arrest him, let’s shame him if you want. But the user? Come on, man, they are victims.)



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