(Photo courtesy of PNA)
Senator Robin Padilla appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Friday, November 6, to submit his counter-affidavit in an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him over his alleged involvement in helping Senator Ronald Dela Rosa evade arrest.
The complaint, filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), stemmed from allegations that Padilla assisted Dela Rosa in leaving the Senate building on May 13 while National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents were attempting to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
If convicted, Padilla could face imprisonment of up to six years and a fine of up to Php 6,000.
Speaking to reporters following the preliminary investigation, Padilla maintained that he would not encourage Dela Rosa to surrender to authorities, arguing that no Philippine court had issued an arrest warrant against his fellow senator.
Padilla also confirmed that he would continue participating in the preliminary investigation hearings scheduled this month, despite the resumption of the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on November 9.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa over his alleged involvement in the deadly anti-illegal drug campaign carried out during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018, during which the government’s controversial anti-drug operations drew international scrutiny over allegations of extrajudicial killings.
Former President Duterte has been detained at the ICC detention facility in the Netherlands since March 2025 in connection with alleged crimes committed during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
His trial on multiple counts of murder and attempted murder is scheduled to begin on November 30.
The obstruction of justice complaint against Padilla remains under preliminary investigation, during which prosecutors will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to pursue formal charges in court.
