President Rodrigo Duterte has granted absolute pardon to actor Robin Padilla.

Duterte confirmed this in a dinner with reporters in Malacanang on Tuesday night.

The President granted the pardon upon the recommendation of the Board of Parole, which is under the Department of Justice.

“I just granted pardon in favor of Robin Padilla kasi yung original pardon niya hindi sinabi yung full restoration ng political and civil rights, therefore he could not travel, he could not get a permit…to possess a gun again. I really do not know the dimension of what is meant by deprivation of political and human rights. But one thing is that you cannot vote, you cannot travel and therefore he could not be issued a passport,” he said.

“Basta yung pardon ko is full restoration of his civil and political rights,” the President added.

“Alam mo yung crime na yan walang nasakatan. I mean if it is a gun, just like the knife, if it sharp it is potentially sharp, ilagay mo lang sa lamesa yan, hindi mo galawin hindi naman nakaka ano yan,” he said.

Padilla was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1994. In 1997, he was pardoned by President Ramos and released from jail.

But his pardon was not absolute.

With the absolute pardon given to him by Duterte, Padilla will regain his civil and political rights, such as the right to vote and seek public office, aside from his right to travel and be issued a Philippine passport.