Rommel Cariño Padilla (; born January 4, 1965), nicknamed "Omeng", is a Filipino actor, politician, farmer and former musician. He served as a member of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Board from 2007 to 2010 and 2016 to 2019.
On several occasions, Padilla ran for different elective positions in government and lost: for vice governor of Nueva Ecija (2010), for representative of Nueva Ecija's 1st District (2019, 2022), and for mayor of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija (2025). He is the father of actors RJ and Daniel Padilla.
Early life He was born to Camarines Norte governor Roy Padilla Sr. (1926–1988) and actress Eva Cariño.
Padilla has at least 48 siblings. Padilla's full siblings from the same parents are: Rowena (born 1959), Randolf (died 1980s), Rema, Royette (1962–2021), Roda, Robinhood ("Robin", born 1969), and Richelda (born 1971). One of his full siblings, BB Gandanghari (formerly Rustom; born 1967), is transgender, while his youngest full sibling, Romulus, died at four days old in 1975. Among his other siblings are half-brothers Roberto (1947–2014), Roy Jr. (1948–), Ronaldo (1962–1988), Roger, Ricarte (born 1965) and Rodolfo ("Gino"; 1974/1975–2002), and half-sisters Rebecca and Carmela.
Entertainment career Prior to becoming an actor, Padilla was a bass player for the Brothers Band based in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Political career His political inclinations can be traced from his grandfather, José Padilla Sr., former governor of Bulacan province, Philippines, and his father, Casimero "Roy" Padilla Sr., former governor of Camarines Norte province who was assassinated during the 1988 gubernatorial election.
Padilla was elected Nueva Ecija Provincial Board member in 2007.
In 2010, he ran for the vice governorship of Nueva Ecija under the local party Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (BALANE), but lost to Gay "GP" Padiernos.
Once again, in 2016, ran under BALANE party, he was elected as senior board member of the province's First District.
He also ran twice in failed bids to represent the First District in the Congress. Being an independent candidate in 2019, he lost to his lone opponent, then-incumbent Rep. Estrellita "Ging" Suansing.
In the 2022 national elections, Padilla, ran under PDP–Laban, and his another opponent, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chief Alexander Balutan, were both defeated by outgoing Rep. Estrellita's daughter, Mika Suansing.
Personal life Padilla has fathered ten children with at least four women. He had three children with his first wife Anabelle Antonio of Angeles, Pampanga: Ralph Matthew ("Matt", born 1980s), Ronnel Jake (born 1989) and Roanna Marie (born 1992). While Rommel was in jail and appealing his case in late 1998, Anabelle had to work for their children on his behalf. She was a bassist in Japan while their children was in Rommel's sister, Rowena Padilla's care in Kidapawan, Mindanao for six years. Actor and musician Daniel Padilla (born 1995) is Padilla's son with singer-actress Karla Estrada, whom Rommel met in 1990 while at work in Viva Entertainment.ROMANTIC STORY OF KARLA ESTRADA AND ROMMEL PADILLA While Padilla was in prison, Karla gave birth to Daniel and took their child for him to see for the first time after 3 years. His daughter Romina Red was born to Edna Mendoza. Padilla has since married Charisse Hibek, with whom he had two children: Aryana Royce Allih and Arize Jose.
Padilla previously dated actresses Jean Garcia and Michelle Aldana in the mid-1990s.
Padilla is a Muslim, having converted to the Islamic faith in 1999 after his brother Robin's own conversion while in prison in 1996. He claimed that he was wedded to Karla Estrada in a Muslim wedding presided by Robin, arguing that he was allowed to marry multiple wives based on his faith.
Rommel is said to be friends with his wives, and his children from them has no friction as they treat each other "whole" brothers/sisters, not "half".
Imprisonment On October 27, 1996 at around 10:30 pm, in front of a convenience store at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue Extension and De Castro Avenue in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig, Padilla and his flight steward friend Frederick Luna were arrested by East Police District-Drug Enforcement Unit.
The policemen had just finished a drug bust operation when they found a .45 caliber handgun tucked in Luna's waistband. 100 grams of dried marijuana leaves was also found on him. Padilla got off his Nissan Sentra car to reportedly intervene for his friend's release. The lawmen searched his car and found in the passenger seat the .22 Magnum machine pistol that caused them to charge him of illegal possession of firearms. Padilla told police he was on his way to shoot scenes for his then-upcoming film Dimas at Magdalena in that night when they stopped by the store.
On October 29, 1996, Padilla was released after posting a Php 120,000 bail. He was accompanied by his mother, Eva Cariño, his girlfriend at the time, Jean Garcia, and his other relatives.
On November 12, 1996, the Pasig Regional Trial Court ruled Padilla's right for the 45-day reinvestigation of the charges after the motion was filed by Robert Padilla, his counsel and elder brother based on his client's inquest without their counter-affidavit. Luna's defending lawyer Rene Saquisag stressed his client's innocence by stating that the arresting policemen had "planted" the evidence against them.
On May 20, 1998, Judge Esperanza Fabon-Victorino of the Pasig Regional Trial Court convicted and sentenced Padilla to 8 years imprisonment at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He went into hiding after the fact but eventually surrendered on June 2, 1998 accompanied by his younger brother Robin Padilla and fellow actor George Estregan.ROMMEL PADILLA SURRENDERS, JAILED His lawyers believed he will not go to jail if he surrenders himself before June 4 to file a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeals but the same ruling judge Victorino denied them for Padilla's violation of the conditions for his bail, and for not appearing in court despite due notice. Padilla's fugitive status while he went into hiding shortly before he was sentenced did not help secure his motion for bail.
While in jail, reports said that he slashed his wrists in his cell to attempt suicide.ROBIN'S BROD ROMMEL BAILS OUT OF NATIONAL PENITENTIARY
On February 19, 1999, while serving time in the New Bilibid Prisons and appealing his conviction, he was released on Php 150,000 bail allowed by the Court of Appeals. Again, his mother, Eva Cariño took him home after saying "I will will [sic] make sure that Rommel will not be involved in any trouble while he is out of jail,".ROBIN'S BROD ROMMEL BAILS OUT OF NATIONAL PENITENTIARY, PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE Feb. 20, 1999 Padilla said he wishes to star in films again and dedicate his time for family.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 1991 Blue Jeans Gang 1992 Bad Boy II Grease Gun Gang Engeng Miss Na Miss Kita (Utol Kong Hoodlum II) 1993 Makuha Ka sa Tingin (Kung Puwede Lang) Don Ricardo's Men Manila Boy Señor Escudero's henchmen no. 1 1994 Mistah Romy De Jesus Col. Billy Bibit, RAM Col. Billy Bibit The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II – May the Lord Be with Us Glen The Four Stooges Don Pedro Fernando 1995 P're Hanggang sa Huli Rodolfo "Boy" Fuentes: Libingan ng Mga Buhay Rodolfo "Boy" Fuentes 1996 Totoy Golem Totoy Golem 1997 Sino si Inday Lucing? Inday Lucing Dimas at Magdalena Dimas 1998 Ang Kilabot at si Miss Makipot CardingLeopard Hunting 1999 Kumakasa, Lumalaban 2000 Kahit Demonyo Itutumba Ko Sgt. Carlito Nunez 2002 Hari ng Selda: Anak ni Baby Ama 2 Erwin Huwag Mong Takasan ang Batas Nelson 2003 You and Me Against the World Vincent 2012 Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion 1st Lt. Bert Garces 2013 10,000 Hours NBI Agent Aquino 2014 Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo Padre Mariano Gomez 2015 Manila's Finest Col. Lazaro 2016 The Escort Mayor Gibo 2017 Pwera Usog Jean's father Bubog 2018 Badge of Honor: To Serve and Protect PCol. David Aragon
Television Title Year Role 2003–2004 Basta't Kasama Kita Felip "Buhawi" Agda 2005–2007 Krusada Kontra Krimen 2007–2008 Krusada Kontra Kurapsyon 2007 Asian Treasures Leo 2008 Obra Presents: Sanib Special Guest Joaquin Bordado Alfredo 2009 Totoy Bato Manuel Velarde 2012 Lorenzo's Time Vincent Castillo Toda Max Romy Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga Leopoldo "Leopold" Guerrero Wansapanataym: Copy Kat Daddy 2013 Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin Raul Jimeno Magkano Ba ang Pag-ibig? Oscar Ramos 2014 Magpakailanman: Dalawang Kasarian: The Jonalyn Bulado Story Val 2015 2½ Daddies Versiculo "Ver" Pastoran Ipaglaban Mo: Sigaw ng Katarungan Mr. Solomon 2015–2016 Ningning Crisanto "Mang Cris" Garcia 2016 Dolce Amore Cardo The Greatest Love Andres Alegre Ipaglaban Mo: Bugaw Dolpo 2017 The Better Half Edgar Villalobos Wansapanataym: Jasmin's Flower Powers Waldo 2017–2018 Hanggang Saan John Joseph "Jojo" Lagrimas 2018 Ipaglaban Mo: Gapang Ryan 2018–2019 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Baldo 2020 A Soldier's Heart Dante Marasigan Ipaglaban Mo: Ungol Lito Maalaala Mo Kaya: Stethoscope Romeo Bactol Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bracelet 2026Blood vs Duty PGen. Emil Azuelo
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