MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday denied a claim from the Office of the Ombudsman that he had ignored an order to submit his counter-affidavit in response to an obstruction of justice complaint, which alleges he helped Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa escape the Senate compound on May 14.
Speaking during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Padilla said it saddened him that the Ombudsman had claimed he failed to comply with the directive to file his counter-affidavit, insisting the claim wasn’t true.
He went on to admit that if the request had come from the International Criminal Court, he would not have complied, saying he does not recognize the ICC’s authority. However, he said he had chosen to comply in this case out of respect for the Ombudsman, whom he considers a friend, and presented what he said was a copy of the counter-affidavit he had filed.
Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, had sought shelter at the Senate before leaving hours after a shooting incident occurred on its premises. He was seen departing the Senate alongside Padilla.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that Padilla had “chose to ignore” his office’s order for a counter-affidavit. Remulla noted that respondents are typically given the opportunity to deny, dispute, or explain their side, but that Padilla appeared to have effectively waived that opportunity, adding that he was unsure whether Padilla had received proper legal advice on the matter.
Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said that while he understood Padilla’s frustrations, the impeachment court was not the right forum, venue, or time to address the situation. Tulfo said that if senators wished to explain their personal circumstances or concerns, they should do so outside the hours of the impeachment trial, adding that the court’s time should not continue to be used, as it had been in recent weeks, for senators to explain or defend themselves.
