Padilla claims he filed counter-affidavit in Bato escape case
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla claimed that he had submitted his counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman in response to an obstruction of justice complaint tied to Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's alleged escape from the Senate.
Padilla raised the matter Monday, July 20, in a manifestation on the seventh day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, saying he was saddened by media reports that he had failed to answer the complaint.
"Ang sinabi po ng mahal na Ombudsman ako daw po ay hindi sumunod sa kanilang pasabi, na mag-file ng aking counter-affidavit," Padilla said. ("The Ombudsman said I supposedly did not follow their directive to file my counter-affidavit.")
"Nakakalungkot po ito dahil hindi po ito totoo," he added. ("This is saddening because this is not true.")
The statement came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday, July 17, that Padilla had ignored the office's order to submit his counter-affidavit.
"Deadline has passed. He chooses to ignore the Ombudsman, then so be it," Remulla said at a press conference.
"Well, we will decide, the resolution will be done without his counter-affidavit. That's his choice," he added.
Ombudsman records
AT a separate press briefing Monday, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the period for filing Padilla's counter-affidavit had already lapsed.
"Buti naman po at meron siyang pinakita na isang counter-affidavit, original pa po daw ang pinakita niya, bagamat hindi po siya nag-reflect sa aming sistema," Clavano said. ("It is good that he showed a counter-affidavit, supposedly even an original copy, although it does not appear in our system.")
"As of right now, only Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano's affidavit reflects in our system," he added.
As of this writing, the Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a formal statement reconciling Padilla's claim with its records.
Bato escape complaint
The obstruction complaint against Padilla was filed by civic group Tindig Pilipinas on July 4 over the alleged escape of dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Padilla, a staunch ally of dela Rosa, admitted that he gave dela Rosa a ride in the early morning of May 14, helping him leave the Senate premises.
Also named as respondents in the complaint are Cayetano and former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca.
The complaint stemmed from Dela Rosa's departure from the Senate as authorities were attempting to serve an International Crminal Court arrest warrant against him. Padilla has denied wrongdoing and maintained that his actions were lawful.
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