MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla defended his deputy chief of staff, retired Colonel Jean Robles, from allegations linking her to the escape of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa last week from the Senate despite being under the chamber's "protective custody."
The senator on Monday said "any insinuation that she acted improperty or illegaly is unfar, speculative, and irresponsible."
Padilla on May 14 allegedly helped dela Rosa slip out of the Senate following the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the senator's alleged involvement in the drug campaign under the administration of then president Rodrigo Duterte who will face trial before the ICC at The Hague, Netherlands on charges of crimes against humanity "[Retired] Colonel Jean Robles merely performed her official duties as part of my staff during the events that transpired inside the Senate," Padilla said in a statement.
"There was no lawful order preventing anyone from leaving the Senate premises at that time. No law enforcement officer stopped, restrained, or prohibited our movements," Padilla said.
"Unfortunately, we were held in a lockdown stuation inside the Senate premises, and some staff members stayed as part of operational and security coordination," he added.
Padilla said that it was about 2:30 a.m. of May 14 when Robles hitched a ride and he brought Robles to her condominium out of concern for her safety.
He also dismissed Robles' link to the former president. He said Robles "never personally served" Duterte nor was she part of his personal staff.
Padilla said Robles served the Filipino people as an Army officer from 2002 until 2020 before later entering the Department of Foreign Affairs as a foreign service officer.
He said Robles "acted professionally, in good faith, and within the scope of her responsibilities as [my] deputy chief of staff."
