Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said Senator Robin Padilla could face possible criminal charges after allegedly helping Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa leave the Senate premises while the latter was under Senate protective custody.
De Lima made the remarks after Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed that dela Rosa had already left the Senate compound following days of tension surrounding the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
“Obstruction of justice, harboring a criminal fugitive, aiding and abetting a criminal fugitive. Obstruction of justice ’yan, malinaw po sa akin ’yan,” De Lima said when asked about the possible liabilities Padilla may face.
Dela Rosa had stayed inside the Senate since Monday after National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve an ICC-related arrest warrant tied to alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Reports later emerged that dela Rosa left the Senate before dawn Thursday aboard a vehicle allegedly driven by Padilla.
De Lima said the Filipino public ultimately lost from dela Rosa’s reported escape from authorities.
House Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña also criticized the incident, saying it reinforced the argument that dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte should face trial before the ICC rather than Philippine institutions.
“At yung pinaka-natalo dito sa nangyari na pagpapatakas kay Bato dela Rosa ay ’yung mga pamilya ng mga namatayan sa EJK,” Cendaña said.
He added that the incident allegedly showed how local institutions continue to protect Duterte allies facing international charges.
“Talagang pinapakita nito na hindi talaga puwede dito sa Pilipinas litisin si Bato at si Duterte at kahit pa si Bong Go. Dapat talaga sa ICC kasi may ganitong institutions that enable them and coddles them,” Cendaña added.
Cendaña also said he would not be surprised if Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano was somehow linked to dela Rosa’s departure from Senate premises.
Dela Rosa resurfaced publicly earlier this week after months away from public view amid reports of an ICC warrant against him.
His appearance at the Senate coincided with the dramatic leadership change that installed Cayetano as Senate President, replacing Tito Sotto.
Critics have linked the new Senate leadership to possible efforts to shield Duterte allies from both the ICC proceedings and the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
