Former actress Nadia Montenegro. PHOTO FROM OSRP OFFICE OF SENATOR ROBIN PADILLA
(UPDATE) SEN. Robinhood Padilla has accepted the resignation of actress Nadia Montenegro as his political affairs officer, days after she was linked to a Senate investigation over alleged marijuana use inside the chamber.
Padilla’s chief of staff Rudolf Philip Jurado confirmed on Monday that the senator’s office received Montenegro’s written explanation and resignation. “Her resignation has been accepted,” Jurado said in a statement.
Montenegro had earlier been placed on leave effective Aug. 13, after the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) submitted an incident report describing a marijuana-like odor inside the ladies’ restroom near senators’ extension offices. The report indicated that the odor was detected on two occasions, in mid-July and again on Aug. 12, and that Montenegro was allegedly present at the scene.
The OSAA report was endorsed to Senate President Francis Escudero and later transmitted to Padilla’s office. Montenegro was given five days to explain in writing.
Montenegro has denied the allegations, saying that she did not smoke marijuana inside the Senate. She admitted to carrying a vape device, which she said may have produced the odor mistaken for marijuana.
PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR ROBIN PADILLA