Robin Padilla on DOJ subpoena for Bato dela Rosa 'escape:' 'Walang takas na naganap'

Senator Robin Padilla on Wednesday maintained that he did not help his colleague Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa escape amid a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Padilla said that he welcomes the subpoena issued to him by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.

"Una, naligayahan po ako. Pagkasabi sa akin ng aking chief legislative officer...Ako po ay naligayahan sapagkat alam naman po natin na itong binabato ito sa atin ay galing sa mga dayuhan, naliligayahan ako kapag galling sa dayuhan kasi parang yung aking pagiging Katipunero ay nabibigyang buhay," he said in a press briefing. "Hindi po ako nalungkot, hindi ako nalugmok."

(First, I was pleased. When my chief legislative officer told me... I was pleased because we know that these allegations being thrown at us come from foreigners. I am happy when it comes from foreigners because it feels like my spirit as a Katipunero is being brought to life. I was not saddened, I was not downhearted.)

The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed a complaint against Padilla and others in May for allegedly helping Dela Rosa escape.

Dela Rosa is the subject of an arrest warrant for “alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator” in the crimes against humanity of murder from July 3, 2016, until the end of April 2018, where at least 32 persons died.

Authorities tried to serve the warrant on Dela Rosa on May 11, leading to a chase inside the Senate building.

He was later placed under protective custody by the Senate but slipped out of the chamber's premises on May 14. He has not appeared in public since.

Meanwhile, Padilla is facing an obstruction of justice complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman.

"Walang takas na naganap. Napanood ninyo naman yung CCTV. Kayo naman. Mayroon bang ganun tumakas? Siya lang ay sumakay sa aking sasakyan at nakisakay. Hindi naman po magsisinungaling ang CCTV. Panoorin na lang natin yung CCTV kung may naganap na pagtakas," said Padilla.

(No escape occurred. You've watched the CCTV footage anyway. Come on. Is there anyone who escapes like that? He simply got into my vehicle and hitched a ride. The CCTV will not lie. Let's just watch the CCTV to see if an escape actually took place.)

Padilla said that he is ready to appear before the panel of prosecutors and to submit his counter-affidavit on September 25 and October 9.

"Opo, siyempre. Kahit yung advice nila ay 'wag na. Pero siyempre, ayan po ay paggalang sa ating mga namumunong mga opisyal," he said.

(Yes, of course. Even though their advice was not to [appear]. But of course, that is out of respect for our ruling officials.) — RSJ, GMA News