MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla appeared on Friday before a panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the preliminary investigation in connection with the obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed the complaint against him after he allegedly helped Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa evade the arrest order issued by the International Criminal Court.
Padilla said he went to the DOJ central office in Manila to file his counter-affidavit together with his lawyers.
The senator thanked his supporters, who had gathered outside the DOJ as early as 1:30 p.m.
"First of all, I am very grateful to our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters who came here to show their support despite the crowded conditions," Padilla was quoted as saying.
Padilla, however, declined to discuss the case further, though he briefly answered some questions and waved to DOJ employees.
"It is difficult for me to give an opinion or make any statement. All I can say is that we will follow whatever the law says. I am not in a position right now to say anything," he said in Filipino.
Meanwhile, lawyerJimmy Bondoc, who is representing one of Padilla's co-respondents, said that none of the respondents have submitted their counter-affidavits yet.
"We have not yet submitted our counter-affidavit because these are still hearings, more like preliminary matters. Some things are still being clarified because there are still a few submissions lacking from the other side," Bondoc said.
Dela Rosa went into hiding in late 2025 after reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against him as a co-perpetrator in former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.
The senator appeared in the Senate in May to help elect Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president, and ran across the building to evade officials who were serving his warrant from the ICC.
Following a shooting incident at the Senate, the senator was seen boarding Padilla's tinted vehicle to leave the premises in the early hours of May 14.
