Padilla says questions on marital rape not based on personal experiences

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday said his remarks during a discussion on marital rape last week are not based on his personal experience. 

At a previous Senate committee hearing on sexual abuse in the media industry, Padilla asked lawyer Lorna Kapunan for the definition of rape. 

This question led to Padilla’s controversial line of inquiry, which included a question on what a man could do to compel his wife to have sex with him when she is not in the mood, but he is. 

In a statement on Monday, Padilla apologized for those who were offended by his statements. He insisted that these were merely hypothetical situations. 

“Ang aking mga katanungan po ay hypothetical base sa sentimiento at realidad ng mga pang-karaniwang Pilipino. Hindi po ito mula sa aking mga personal na gawain, paniniwala o karanasan,” Padilla said. 

(My questioning was hypothetical and based on the sentiments and realities of ordinary Filipinos. This did not come from my personal doings, beliefs, and experiences.) 

Padilla said that their inquiry on marital rape should be guided, and sensitive issues like this must be discussed to fix the law. He said that sex between a married couple has effects on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of their relationships. 

The rookie senator also apologized during the weekend, but he was still insistent that his line of questioning was valid. 

“‘Wag po tayo maging sensitive sa pagdinig sapagkat yun po ang ibig sabihin ng hearing,” Padilla said in a Friday evening statement. 

(Let us not be sensitive in hearings because that is what hearings are for.) 

Padilla’s wife, Mariel Rodriguez, came to her husband’s defense amid an inline backlash that followed his viral comments. She posted a photo of them kissing with the caption, “oh may consent yan.” (This has consent.) 

To which Padilla replied “Hello babe, I’m in heat.” 

The exchange prompted more online criticism from netizens, with many deeming the couple’s comments as insensitive to victims of marital rape.