Senator Robin Padilla on Sunday likened former president Rodrigo Duterte to historical figures such as Lapu-Lapu and José Rizal, calling him a “modern-day hero” for what he described as his stand against foreign influence, despite Duterte’s continued detention in The Hague.

Padilla made the remarks during the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE) coalition, where he expressed support for Duterte and reiterated calls for his return to the Philippines.

“Kung sino po yung tunay na Pilipino talaga dito, si Digong. Tandaan po natin ’yun, kung sino ’yung parang si Lapu-Lapu na tumindig, kalaban ang mga dayuhan, si Digong ’yun. Huwag nating kalimutan ’yun. Kaya siya nadala sa The Hague. Dahil siya, sa panahon ngayon, ang bayani. Tandaan ninyo,” Padilla said.

He added that Duterte should be regarded alongside historical figures such as Diego Silang, Gabriela Silang, and José Rizal, whom he described as having resisted colonial powers.

“Bayani ’yan. Dahil maikukumpara n’yo ’yan sa mga una nating bayani—sila Sakay, kay Gabriela Silang, kay Jose Rizal—na nakalaban ang dayuhan,” he added.

“Kaya itong ginagawa natin, tandaan ninyo, ang binabangga natin dito, kapangyarihan ng dayuhan. Ang itinatayo natin dito, ’yung pagka-Pilipino natin, tandaan ninyo ’yan. Dahil tayo, kailanman, hindi tayo magpapasakop sa dayuhan,” Padilla noted.

Padilla also renewed his call for Duterte’s return to the Philippines, referring to the former president’s current detention under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in The Hague in connection with allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the “war on drugs” campaign.

“Kailangan si Tatay Digong ay umuwi na. Bring him home!” he said.

The senator also touched on current global issues, including tensions in the Middle East and concerns over oil supply, saying these developments aligned with past warnings he attributed to Duterte.

“Ngayon nakikita po ninyo lahat ng sinabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Lalong-lalo na ’yung gera sa Middle East, nangyayari na ngayon. Nasa mga mukha natin na darating ang panahon, magkakaproblema tayo sa langis. Eto na, nasa mga mukha na natin. Four years ago, sinabi na niya. Ngayon, paano nila sasabihin na hindi tama si Digong?” he said.

Padilla further criticized accusations labeling Duterte’s supporters as “pro-China,” arguing that current geopolitical realities show the Philippines engaging with various partners, including China, amid national challenges.

“Paano nila sasabihin na ’yung isang taong nagsasalita kanina diyan ay isang—anong sabi nila daw? Kami daw ay mga Chinador. Kami daw ay mga tao ng China. Pero saan tayo lumalapit ngayon? Saan tayo tumatakbo ngayon? Sa China,” he said.

“Ano ang ibig sabihin nun? Ang ibig sabihin nun, alam, batid ni Tatay Digong, na isang araw, ang tutulong sa atin, kapitbahay natin,” the senator emphasized.

Padilla said that the former president could not be brought home from The Hague unless outside assistance is secured, stressing that Filipinos alone would not be able to accomplish it. He added that, in his view, the situation reflects continued foreign influence.