Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla (Tagalog pronunciation: [kaˈɾiɲo paˈdilja]; born November 23, 1969)[2] is a Filipino actor, film director, and politician serving as senator of the Philippines.

[20] Padilla's father was an actor, labor leader and politician who served as assemblyman from 1984 to 1986 and was appointed governor of Camarines Norte from 1986 to 1988;[21] he was assassinated during his gubernatorial election campaign on January 17, 1988, with Robin's half-brother Roy Jr. running in his stead.

In 1991, Padilla played the lead roles in the films Maging Sino Ka Man and Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum.

[25] Padilla figured in a filming accident when an explosion scene for Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum burned the actor, leaving scars around his abdomen and arms.

He subsequently transitioned to GMA Network, taking on a prominent role in the 2007 TV series Asian Treasures along with Angel Locsin.

[36][37][38] Padilla is a supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug war,[39] hailing the campaign as "most successful" and claiming that extrajudicial killings are a legitimate part of the government's anti-crime strategy.

[46] His platforms include pushing for anti-criminality measures, a crackdown on illegal drugs, the establishment of federalism and legislating community policing.

Padilla took his oath as president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) party, according to a press release from his office dated July 24, 2024.

[54] He has also expressed interest in filing measures that will benefit the environment, after disclosing in a July 6, 2022 Facebook Live post that he is meeting with Sen. Loren Legarda on the matter.

[56] Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, pushed for an investigation into why Aetas in Central Luzon have not been able to get some ₱19 million due them from an agreement signed in 2007.

Due to the ROTC bill still pending on Congress, Padilla in March 2024 launched his own Basic Citizen Military Training which will have volunteers which will serve the needs of the Senate.

[65] Padilla filed Senate Bill 1273 seeking more cemeteries for Muslims and indigenous people (IPs) to ensure that proper burial in accordance with their customs and tradition will be observed.

[70] Padilla filed Senate Bill 232, seeking to provide additional compensation and benefits to barangay health workers.

[71] Padilla filed Senate Bill 447 assuring funding for priority development projects of local government units.

Padilla said this measure aims to provide an equitable distribution of wealth to LGUs to foster development with the end goal of bridging the gap between the revenue expenditure mandates of the LGC and the General Appropriations Act.

In a statement, he praised the soldiers who keep enforcing the country's sovereignty claims in the South China Sea during a courtesy call from members of the Joint Task Unit in Pag-asa Island.

[76] In 2023, Padilla would raise skepticism if the United States would fulfill its obligations with its treaty ally Philippines in case that conflict escalates in the South China Sea.

[77] Padilla believes that the Senate hearing on the alleged abuses by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its leader and founder Apollo Quiboloy is unnecessary.

[78] He disputes the hearings are conducted in aid of legislation and insists that the allegations raised in the Senate could only be dealt in the country's legal system.

[80] Padilla believes that the church leader is both a "hero" who fought against the Communist armed conflict led by the New People's Army (NPA) while also tagging him as a victim of the rebel group.

[79] Padilla however explicitly denied "defending" Quiboloy insisting that he is only upholding "democracy" and is moving to ensure that due process is upheld in dealing with allegations hurled against the pastor and his church.

[81] He along with his colleagues Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar and Bong Go made a failed bid to block the contempt order imposed on Quiboloy by the Senate panel led by Risa Hontiveros.

His half-brother Casimero succeeded in their father's political endeavors, serving as a union leader, a congressman, and a three-term governor of Camarines Norte.

[102][103] In 2014, Padilla campaigned for presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and in May 2016 filed a libel case against a Twitter user for calling him an "ex-convict".

[104] In November 2016, Padilla was granted an absolute pardon from President Rodrigo Duterte to endow him full civil and political rights.

[105] In July 2021, Padilla faced backlash following his comments on his daughter's divorce, stating that men cheating is part of the natural course of life.