MANILA — Senate Robinhood “Robin” Padilla’s chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, defended the senator, saying he is “often misunderstood by many” regarding his positions on several issues.

In a report, Jurado issued the statement after Padilla faced criticism for calling the youth “weak” amid rising suicide cases and saying that the word “depression” did not exist during his time, remarks made in a recent Senate hearing.

“Senator Robin Padilla is often misunderstood by many. As someone who has worked closely with him for years, I can say that the Senator does not hesitate to raise and advocate for issues that others may consider taboo, unpopular, or politically risky,” Jurado said.

“He does so even when these positions may run counter to his own political interests, his allies, or prevailing public sentiment,” he added.

Jurado cited Padilla’s advocacy on political dynasties, noting that the senator has pushed for one of the strictest versions of proposed legislation, extending prohibitions up to the fourth degree — despite belonging to a political family and the measure potentially affecting his allies in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

He also noted Padilla’s support for discussions on parliamentary government or federalism, as well as his positions on medical cannabis, divorce, civil unions, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10, the Sabah claim, charter change, and the proposed ban on social media use for minors 16 years old and below — issues Jurado described as “sensitive and deeply divisive.”

“The Senator’s record shows a consistent willingness to engage in difficult conversations and legislative reforms based on what he believes to be in the national interest, regardless of political consequences,” Jurado said.