Ricarte Padilla

Ricarte "Dong" Robledo Padilla is a Filipino politician who currently serves as the Governor of Camarines Norte. He is the half-brother of Senator Robin Padilla and actors Rommel Padilla and BB Gandanghari.

Early life

Ricarte Padilla was born in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte to Roy Padilla Sr., a former Governor of Camarines Norte who was assassinated in 1988, and Carmelita Robledo. He has 47 siblings, including older brothers Restituto and Ronaldo, younger sister Rebecca, and half-siblings Robin Padilla, Rommel Padilla, Royette Padilla, BB Gandanghari and Casimero "Kuatro" Padilla. His grandfather was also a former Governor of Bulacan.

Career

Padilla was the former mayor of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte before running for Vice Governor but losing with 117,952 votes. He filed an unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court against the result.
In 2022, Padilla was elected as Governor of Camarines Norte with 162,081 votes. Padilla ousted the reelectionist incumbent Edgardo Tallado.
On June 30, 2025, Padilla was suspended for 18 months by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly appointing two indivudals to government posts without authorization.