Shocked by Robin Padilla Topping the Senate? He Was Too

It's been a hell of an elections, to say the least. The circus of the campaign season is over and now we're finally seeing the victors. Even a seasoned actor like Robin Padilla must've been exhausted by the end of it.

In the months leading up to May 9, most Senate polls had Raffy Tulfo at the top spot. In some surveys, we had Antique Rep. Loren Legarda. Names like Sorsogon Gov. Francisco "Chiz" Escudero and Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar were top five mainstays, too.

Robin Padilla, meanwhile, had to gradually climb his way up the polls. And he did. He told voters about his plans for a "federal-style" government and his focus on passing the Security of Tenure and End of Endo Act of 2018 (Anti-Endo Act). By the last week of April, Padilla ranked third in polls like Pulse Asia.

Filipinos love their action stars, after all.

And according to the unofficial-partial results from the Commission on Elections transparency server as of May 10, Padilla leads all senators with 26,349,516 votes.

Padilla was actually shocked by the turnout. Padilla attributed the potential win to key endorsements from the Dutertes and his fellow Muslims. He also believes that the success of his campaign wasn't just because of his name.

"Hindi naman ako naniniwala na nanalo ako dahil ako si Robin Padilla. 'Wag po nating paniwalaan yan. Maging number one po diyan, number two, number three, tayo ay nandiyan para isulong ang pederalismo," he said in an interview on Teleradyo.

Padilla continued: "Yan po ang asahan ninyo, mga mahal nating kababayan. Hindi po ako diyan magiging bingi. Hindi po ako diyan magiging pipi."