MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robinhood Padilla to answer the obstruction of justice complaints filed against them in connection with the departure of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from the Senate premises on May 14.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in relation to the drug war killings.
In a two-page order, the ombudsman gave Cayetano and Padilla 15 days from receipt of notice to submit their counter-affidavits and evidence disputing the allegations that they coordinated to prevent the implementation of the ICC warrant against Dela Rosa.
The Office of the Ombudsman said it would not entertain any bid for extension of time, for dismissal of the complaint or any other dilatory pleadings.
The complaint for obstruction of justice was filed by civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, which accused Cayetano, Padilla and their co-respondent, suspended Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca, of “knowingly and willfully obstructing or delaying” the apprehension of Dela Rosa.
The group cited how Cayetano placed Dela Rosa under Senate “protective custody” on May 11 when the latter surfaced at the Senate after six months of absence to help install Cayetano as Senate president.
So-called “warning shots” fired by Aplasca also caused confusion, panic and disorder, which allowed Dela Rosa to leave the Senate premises, the group said.
It cited the statements of Padilla, who confirmed that Dela Rosa left the Senate in his vehicle and was dropped off in Makati.
Dela Rosa was the chief implementer of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs when he was the Philippine National Police chief.
Padilla is facing another complaint for obstruction of justice before the Department of Justice.
Aplasca, a classmate of Dela Rosa in the Philippine Military Academy, has been suspended for six months by the ombudsman.