El Defensor del Pueblo: Padilla ignoraign la citación por violaciones por la fuga de Dela Rosa

Senator Robinhood Padilla has reportedly ignored a summons from the Office of the Ombudsman to respond to a complaint alleging his involvement in the escape of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa in May. According to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Padilla has not addressed the summons issued by the anti-graft body following a June 3 complaint filed by the group Tindig Pilipinas. The complaint alleges that Padilla, along with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former Senate sergeant-at-arms Ma. O. Aplasca, obstructed justice by aiding Dela Rosa's evasion of arrest. On June 23, Assistant Ombudsman Moreno Generoso requested that Padilla, Cayetano, and Aplasca submit their responses within a strict 15-day window. However, as of late July, Padilla has not responded to the summons, according to Remulla, who stated that the Ombudsman would proceed with the case without Padilla's counter-affidavit. Cayetano, meanwhile, has submitted his counter-affidavit in response to the allegations. Remulla confirmed that Cayetano's submission was received, though he declined to comment on its content, stating that he does not micromanage individual cases. Aplasca, on the other hand, has requested an extension for her response, which the Ombudsman has granted. The alleged escape took place on May 11 when National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to arrest Dela Rosa using an International Criminal Court warrant. Dela Rosa had gone into hiding for over six months before resurfacing in the Senate. Despite the warrant, Dela Rosa evaded capture and sought protective custody from the Senate, which was granted by Cayetano. Tensions escalated on May 13 when a confrontation occurred between NBI agents and Senate security personnel at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Complex in Pasay City, where the Senate is located. This led to a shooting incident. Following this, Dela Rosa disappeared once again, this time leaving the Senate premises with Padilla in his vehicle during the early hours of May 14. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has concluded that Dela Rosa's departure with Padilla was not a simple act of transportation but rather a well-coordinated effort to evade detection. The CIDG described the movement as a "highly coordinated, preplanned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection while escaping the Senate premises." The Tindig Pilipinas complaint outlines three key actions attributed to Cayetano, Padilla, and Aplasca. It claims that these individuals obstructed justice under Presidential Decree No. 1829, as their actions allegedly hindered the enforcement of legal processes and the performance of legal duties. Padilla's legal team has claimed that the senator submitted a counter-affidavit to the Ombudsman on July 9. However, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that the submission does not appear in their records. Clavano emphasized that the Ombudsman would rely solely on their internal systems for processing the case. During the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Padilla challenged a witness regarding a separate case against him. He questioned the witness about the status of the case, suggesting that facing legal challenges promptly is essential. His remarks were made in the context of the ongoing investigation into his potential role in Dela Rosa's escape. The situation highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding high-profile figures in Philippine politics. The Ombudsman's decision to proceed without Padilla's input underscores the gravity of the allegations and the need for swift judicial action. Meanwhile, the legal battle continues, with the outcome likely to influence future political dynamics in the country.