Nadia Montenegro now 'at peace' after marijuana use allegations: 'Okay na ako'
Nadia Montenegro has opened up about her alleged marijuana use inside the Senate back when she was the political affairs officer of Sen. Robin Padilla in 2025.
Montenegro, who has since resigned from the position, admitted in an interview with The Philippine STAR that it was difficult for her to keep defending herself for an act that she asserted didn't happen.
"Ang hirap-hirap na kahit saan ka pumunta, nag-e-explain ka sa isang bagay na alam mong hindi nangyari. Tapos 'yun na ngang hindi nangyari, 'yun pang kailangan mo pa silang paniwalaan na hindi nangyari. Ang hirap-hirap. So, at least now, I'm at peace," she said.
She shared that she has not been appearing much in showbiz gatherings lately as she didn't want to be affected by online criticism.
"Kapag lumabas yung mukha mo parang, 'Oh ayan na naman yung addict.' It doesn't affect me, but nalulungkot ako na ganito na 'yung mundo natin talaga, na parang grabe, imagine how the world would be if people would just have a lot of knowledge sa katotohanan, kung ano talaga 'yung buhay," she said.
The actress also talked about how she has moved on from the controversy.
"This January, I started full blast na catering. Okay na ako, masaya na ako, and then I have my apos nandito na lahat, so super happy," she said.
Montenegro had filed charges for unjust vexation and violation of the Safe Spaces Act against a Senate security personnel who had pulled her aside to talk to her and ask about an incident of a staff member allegedly using marijuana. The filing of the case has recently been approved by the prosecutor's office in Pasay City.
On why they decided to file the charges, Montenegro’s legal counsel Maggie Garduque explained, "Alam naman niya na hindi talaga si Nadia nagso-smoke ng marijuana during that time. Despite that, he made the incident report."
She added that there was also a counter-affidavit that was submitted by the respondent, where he admitted that during the encounter with Montenegro, he did not see any sign of marijuana usage.
"He admitted that what was shown and what was in the bag of Nadia Montenegro during that time was merely a vape and it was flavored grape. So, hindi talaga 'yun marijuana. So, what is the intent of making an incident report kung wala namang nahuli kay Nadia na nagso-smoke siya ng marijuana or in her possession na meron siyang marijuana during that day?" Garduque said.
In resigning as Padilla's political affairs officer, Montenegro maintained that she chose to step down for the welfare of her family and not out of guilt. She also didn't want anyone to be dragged into the issue, including Padilla, as this was her "own battle."