Senator Robin Padilla promised the late Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla that he will continue the Padilla brand of service to the people.
In his eulogy for the late governor at the House of Representatives, Padilla also vowed he will protect the Padilla name, especially in the field of public service.
“Kahit kailan, Inshallah, ang inyo pong itinayong pangalan natin, ang ating apelyido, kailanman ay hindi po natin sisirain.”
“Hayaan nyo po, Tiyo Caloy. Lahat po na inyong iniwan lalong lalo na sa edukasyon, ipagpatuloy po natin yan, ipaglalaban po natin ‘yan. At kahit kailan, Inshallah, ang inyo pong itinayong pangalan natin, ang ating apelyido, kailanman ay hindi po natin sisirain,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker particularly praised Gov. Padilla for fighting for the fishermen, farmers and indigenous people – whose welfare he is now championing in the Senate.
The senator noted his late father, former Assemblyman Roy Padilla, was a good friend of the late governor. Both were from the Padilla clan from Spain who upon arrival in the Philippines made a name in public service, show business, law practice, and even in boxing.
He added that while he initially wanted to be in show business, he was brought to the arena of politics by a wave he could not stop.
Yet, he said Gov. Padilla remained the clan’s standard of public service, especially after the senator’s father passed away.
Also, Sen. Padilla recalled Gov. Padilla’s advice to him when he recently visited the Senate. He said the elder Padilla told him to help the poor.
“Hindi siya mapagsamantala. Siya pa nagsabi sa akin puntahan mo ang mga nangangailangan na katutubo sa ibang lugar.”
“Noong nagkita po kami, binisita niya po ako sa Senado, ang sabi ko sa kanya Tiyo Caloy paano kita matutulungan sa iyong bayan, sa iyong probinsya? Sabi niya relax ka lang. Hindi ko kailangan ang tulong mo doon, tulungan mo ang iba na nahihirapan. Sapagka’t diyan sa Nueva Vizcaya kayang kaya ko na ‘yan. Ganyan po siya, hindi siya mapagsamantala. Siya pa nagsabi sa akin puntahan mo ang mga nangangailangan na katutubo sa ibang lugar. ‘Yan ang puntahan mo, huwag na ako. Ganyan po siya,” he said.
Sen. Padilla stressed he will not forget the governor’s advice.
He also thanked the governor for his support for his senatorial bid last year, where he told him he did not need to campaign in Nueva Vizcaya because he would top the senatorial race there.
Padilla likewise apologized to the late governor for not being there during his own senatorial bid.
