MANILA -- Actor Robin Padilla is grateful to have been given executive clemency by President Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

The pardon restores Padilla's civil and political rights, which may enable him to get a US visa so he can be with his wife and newborn child.

"He has suffered enough, I think. Kung bitawan mo naman iyong tao sa labas, give him the rights -- makaboto, maka-travel, whatever," Duterte told reporters.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, Padilla formally thanked Duterte for restoring his political and civil rights.

"Ang tanging pangarap ng aking asawang si Mariel Rodriguez Padilla ay maging parehas ang birthday namin ni Maria Isabella at dahil po sa inyo mahal na Pangulo ay nagkatotoo ito. Literally I am
born again," the statement read.

Rodriguez, who holds dual citizenship, gave birth to their baby girl Maria Isabella in the United States on Monday, November 14.

Padilla earlier apologized to his wife for not being by her side when she went into labor.

The actor was hoping to get US visa to be with his wife but had to go through a more complicated process because of his conviction for possession of illegal firearms in 1994.

On Wednesday, Padilla posted a new video showing his wife and baby daughter as he again gave thanks for the twin blessings.

A video posted by robin padilla (@robinhoodpadilla) on Nov 15, 2016 at 4:04pm PST

"Ika-15 ng Nobyembre ipinanganak muli ang aking kalayaan mula sa sinapupunan ng rebolusyon ng aking Pangulo," Padilla wrote in the caption.