DOJ subpoenas Robin Padilla over Bato Dela Rosa escape
The Department of Justice issued a subpoena against Sen. Robin Padilla on Tuesday, Sept. 15, over allegations that he helped Sen. Bato Dela Rosa leave Senate premises in May, The Philippine STAR reported.
According to the subpoena shared by News5, the complainant is PCPT. Ericson C. Roc of the Philippine National Police Anti-Organized Crime Unit-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Padilla was summoned for violating "Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders" or Section 1, paragraph (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829.
The senator is ordered to appear before the DOJ's panel of prosecutors and submit his counter-affidavit, as well as other supporting documents and affidavits of his witnesses, if any, on Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.
Apparently in reaction to the news, Padilla posted a message on Facebook: "A subpoena has arrived," without giving any context.
The International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa in May in relation to his alleged involvement in former president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. After a six-month absence, Dela Rosa showed up at the Senate on May 11 to help seat Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.
When agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrived at the Senate supposedly to serve Dela Rosa's arrest warrant, the senator sought the upper chamber's protective custody.
Following a brief shooting incident in the Senate building the night of May 13, CCTV footage caught Dela Rosa leaving the Senate basement parking lot in Padilla's vehicle in the early hours of May 14.
However, Padilla denied claims that he helped Dela Rosa escape. In an interview on Net25 on May 21, Padilla asked, "Paano kami tatakas? Ang daming pulis sa loob at labas ng Senado. May CCTV pa. Wala namang humarang sa amin."
