It has since received mixed reactions from viewers on social media.
On Sunday, April 26, ABS-CBN drama production unit JRB Creative Production shared a new teaser for the forthcoming week of the ongoing action series Blood Vs. Duty.
In the said clip, a new character will enter the story and will lend a helping hand to Gerald Anderson’s character Jalil Abubakar.
He is Arman Mustafa, who will be portrayed by Senator Robin Padilla, that will play a crucial role in the story by helping Jalil enter the fictional National Law Enforcement Agency (NLEA) as liaison officer and bring him closer to the circle of his archenemy, Marcus, which is played by Richard Gutierrez.
This 45-second clip confirms the days’ long speculations about Padilla’s drama comeback, as he last starred in the 2018 ABS-CBN drama series Sana Dalawa Ang Puso.
The news first floated after the unit dropped an initial teaser, where they described a new personality will be making a “resbak” on primetime, with the initials R and P.
As a result of that, viewers and netizens have voiced their opinion on social media regarding Padilla’s casting.
Some have weighed on it from a perspective of it being appropriate for the Islamic community in the Philippines. “Si Robin P. talaga ang perfect at politically correct sa role na ito. Totoong Muslim, senador na at artista,” wrote a certain France Sajorda on X.
Meanwhile, more were in opposition regarding the move, with many citing Padilla’s political leanings and his work in the Senate.
It remains to be seen how long will his character last in the story and whether it would only be a mere special participation.