DOJ subpoenas Robin Padilla over Bato dela Rosa escape
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a subpoena to Senator Robin Padilla over an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him for his alleged role in Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa‘s escape from the Senate.
“The Department confirms that subpoenas were served on Sen. Robinhood Padilla and Lt. Col. Jean Alla Yasin Robles at around 2:30 pm today at the Senate, in connection with the pending complaint against them for alleged violation of PD 1829 (Obstruction of Justice),” DOJ spokesperson Raphael Martinez said.
Based on the subpoena, Padilla was directed to appear before state prosecutors on September 25 and October 9 at the DOJ headquarters in Ermita, Manila. The senator also seemingly alluded to the subpoena in an earlier Facebook post.
“A subpoena has arrived,” his post read.
Padilla, in a media briefing, said he would appear at the DOJ hearing despite his lawyers’ advice against it. He also maintained that he did not abet dela Rosa’s escape, saying he has not had any communication with his ally since.
Henry Balteza, Padilla’s legal counsel, confirmed receipt of the obstruction of justice complaint and said they would file a counter-affidavit within the prescribed period. Balteza, however, said they were still studying the complaint.
“We are already on the process of studying the complaint because we only received it yesterday,” he told reporters.
“At this time, we find it inappropriate to discuss the facts surrounding the complaint. However, what we maintain is the acts of Senator Padilla is no way unlawful and illegal,” Balteza said.
Dela Rosa escape
In May, the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service confirmed that the police had referred an obstruction of justice complaint against Padilla and other individuals for allegedly “facilitating” Dela Rosa’s escape from the Senate.
It can be recalled that Dela Rosa initially went into hiding to evade an International Criminal Court warrant over his alleged crimes against humanity in connection with former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and the Davao Death Squad killings.
He reappeared on May 11 to back Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s bid for Senate presidency and sought refuge inside the Senate. However, he left the premises on May 14, hours after a shooting incident inside the Senate, and has remained out of public view.
Padilla was named a person of interest by the National Bureau of Investigation on May 15 after it was revealed that Dela Rosa had left the Senate compound with him at around 2:30 am on May 14.
On May 22, the lawmaker said his ally had merely asked him for a ride and that Dela Rosa got off somewhere in Makati City, where a vehicle was already waiting for the former Philippine National Police chief. – Rappler.com
