Actor Robin Padilla asks PNP for license to carry firearms

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Robin Padilla on Thursday, November 16, asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to grant him a license to own firearms despite his former conviction for illegal possession of firearms. 

In a letter dated Monday, Padilla asked the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office to consider his application for a license based on a “unique situation” that supposedly excludes him from the limitation spelled out under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The law disqualifies from exemptions applicants who have been convicted and those who are currently accused in a pending criminal case that is punishable with a penalty of more than two years.

Padilla was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1995 with a prison term of 6 years and 1 day to 8 years. He was granted conditional pardon by former president Fidel Ramos in 1998.

But Padilla’s lawyer, Rudolf Philip Jurado, argued that the presidential pardon is enough to allow his client to own firearms. 

“Said presidential pardon should have the effect of relieving Mr Padilla from ‘all the punitive consequences of his criminal act, including the disqualifications or disabilities based on the finding of guilt,” Jurado said. 

Disallowing Padilla from applying for a license based on the coverage of Section 4(g) of RA 10591 “would be tantamount to disqualifying him from obtaining a privilege by reason of a previous finding of his guilt (i.e. previous conviction),” he added.

The actor’s lawyer added that Padilla should enjoy the legal effects of the presidential pardon. – Rappler.com