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. 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 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. 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.
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,". Padilla said he wishes to star in films again and dedicate his time for family.
