MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman will investigate separately the obstruction of justice complaint against Sen. Robin Padilla but will coordinate their findings.
Ombudsman spokesman Mico Clavano said Friday the arrangement was agreed upon during a meeting with DOJ officials last week, with the DOJ set to endorse its findings to the Ombudsman if it determines that the respondents and the facts fall within the anti-graft agency’s jurisdiction.
“We are awaiting the results of their preliminary investigation, and if they find that there are respondents and the facts on hand fall under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman, they would endorse the same to us,” Clavano said.
The DOJ recently subpoenaed Padilla and his chief of staff, retired Lt. Col. Jean Alla Yasin Robles, requiring them to submit their counter-affidavits in the obstruction complaint.
Clavano said the DOJ did not have jurisdiction to bring a case before the Sandiganbayan if the matter is ultimately found to fall under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.
The complaint stemmed from allegations that Padilla helped Sen. Ronald dela Rosa leave the Senate while authorities were attempting to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Padilla has acknowledged giving Dela Rosa a ride but denied helping him escape.
