NEWSFLASH

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OPLE TO ROBIN: GO BACK TO SCHOOL

Manila, April 12, 1998 - Senator Blas Ople has one advice for actor Robin Padilla: "Go back to school and lead a campaign against illegal drugs."

Ople, who is seeking re-election, said Padilla still has a bright future ahead of him. "I know that he is bent on turning over a new leaf," Ople said of Robin, who was released from prison last Tuesday.

The actor spent three years inside the Muntinglupa New Bilibid Prisons. He was convicted by an Angeles City Court for illegal possession of firearms, and was pardoned by President Ramos.

Ople said Padilla should not feel beholden to the administration for regaining his liberty. "He earned it all by himself for being on his best behavior," he said.

Ople warned against politicians who might want to use Robin in the ongoing election campaign. "Robin should be better off spending time with his family and embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. After that, I hope he goes back to school and prove to his fans and even his detractors that there is life after jail," Ople said.

Padilla campaigned for President Ramos in 1992. There were rumors that he was going to be asked to campaign for Speaker Jose de Venecia after his release from prison, but Robin himself doused all speculations and firmly stated that he would not involve himself in politics.