By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla went before Department of Justice prosecutors on Friday to answer an obstruction of justice complaint accusing him of helping Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa avoid an arrest order issued by the International Criminal Court.
Padilla appeared at the DOJ central office in Manila with his lawyers as prosecutors conducted the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police.
The senator declined to give substantive comments on the case, saying he was not yet in a position to discuss the allegations while the proceedings were underway.
“It is difficult for me to give an opinion or make any statement. All I can say is that we will follow whatever the law says. I am not in a position right now to say anything,” Padilla said in Filipino.
He nevertheless thanked supporters who gathered outside the DOJ, including Muslim and Christian groups who arrived as early as 1:30 p.m. to show their support.
“First of all, I am very grateful to our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters who came here to show their support despite the crowded conditions,” Padilla said.
The senator also briefly responded to questions and waved to DOJ employees before proceeding with the preliminary investigation.
Lawyer Jimmy Bondoc, who represents one of Padilla’s co-respondents, said the respondents had yet to submit their counter-affidavits.
Bondoc said the proceedings were still dealing with preliminary matters, with some issues requiring clarification and some submissions from the other side still outstanding.
“We have not yet submitted our counter-affidavit because these are still hearings, more like preliminary matters. Some things are still being clarified because there are still a few submissions lacking from the other side,” Bondoc said.
The PNP complaint stems from the circumstances surrounding Dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate after he appeared at the chamber in May to participate in the election of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.
Dela Rosa had gone into hiding in late 2025 following reports that the ICC had issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
When Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate in May, authorities moved to serve the warrant.
Following a shooting incident at the Senate, Dela Rosa was seen leaving the premises aboard Padilla’s tinted vehicle in the early hours of May 14.
The incident became the basis for the obstruction of justice complaint against Padilla, who is accused of helping Dela Rosa evade arrest.
The case is now before the DOJ for preliminary investigation, with Padilla maintaining that he would allow the legal process to take its course.
ia/xf
