NEWSFLASH

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ROBIN PADILLA OUT OF PRISON BY '98?

Manila, Nov. 23, 1997 - An exclusive story in today's issue of Bulldog Tonight says Robin Padilla, grown older and wiser by two and a half years of incarceration at the National Penitentiary in Muntinglupa, "is all but certain to regain his freedom in the coming year."

Bulldog quotes Bureau of Prison Director Vicente Vinarao, who said Padilla is set to receive a conditional pardon next year after he had shown exemplary conduct and had served as a model among other prisoners during the entire time of his detention.

Vinarao pointed out that Padilla has not been involved in any trouble or problem inside the prison. On the contrary, the actor had played an important role in uplifting the moral and spiritual development of his fellow prisoners.

Shortly after being sentenced to 17-21 years for illegal possession of firearms, Padilla converted to Islam, and has been a leader in the anti-drugs campaign inside the national penitentiary. He married long-time live-in girlfriend and mother of his three daughters Leizl in Muslim ceremonies inside the jail.

He would not have been eligible for parole for many more years but for a new law passed on the initiative of fellow actor, Senator Ramon Revilla, which lowered the sentence for illegal possession of firearms. Mrs. Imelda Marcos was a co-sponsor of the bill when it was introduced in the House of Representatives.

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