Robin Padilla Declines Special Role in ‘Mga Batang Riles’
ROBIN PADILLA – The senator admitted rejecting a special role in the upcoming GMA-7 primetime action-drama series Mga Batang Riles.
Since being elected as a senator in 2022, Robin Padilla has not had the chance to return to acting on television or in films. However, he shared in an interview with Cabinet Files that he was offered a special role in the upcoming GMA-7 primetime action-drama series Mga Batang Riles, which will air in January 2025.
Despite the offer, Robin explained that he had to decline the role due to time constraints. “Hindi ko tinanggap. Hindi na kaya ng oras ko,” he said during an exclusive interview at the Konsyerto sa Palasyo, a celebration of Filipino cinema held at Malacañang Palace on December 15, 2024.
In the same interview, Robin mentioned that he suggested casting Ronnie Ricketts in his place, particularly for the martial arts-related role. He acknowledged that Ronnie had more expertise in martial arts than he did. GMA-7 followed Robin’s suggestion, casting Ronnie to play the role of a martial arts trainer for the young characters in Mga Batang Riles.
Mga Batang Riles will feature young Kapuso stars such as Miguel Tanfelix, Kokoy de Santos, Bruce Roeland, Raheel Bhyria, and Antonio Vinzon, focusing on the lives of street kids and their struggles.
Robin’s busy schedule as a senator has also led to delays in completing two of his film projects: Bad Boy 3 and Plaridel, a biographical movie about revolutionary writer Marcelo H. Del Pilar. Additionally, Robin was selected to portray Gringo Honasan in a film about the former soldier and senator.
Meanwhile, Robin Padilla is an actor, director, and politician. He is best known for his roles in action films during the 1990s, often portraying characters involved in law enforcement, rebellion, or martial arts. He earned the nickname “Bad Boy” for his tough-guy roles and became one of the most popular and bankable stars in Philippine cinema.