Padilla Maintains Stance: Dela Rosa Merely 'Hitched a Ride'

SENATOR Robinhood C. Padilla on Wednesday maintained his stance that fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa merely hitched a ride in his car following the subpoena issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) for him on Sept. 15 for alleged obstruction of justice. “He simply got into my vehicle and rode with me,” Mr. Padilla told a news briefing in Filipino. “Let us just review the CCTV to see if there was any escape. No police officer blocked our way, because if someone had, why would we have left?” He also denied having communications with Mr. dela Rosa, adding that his last interaction with his colleague took place after the car ride early May 14. Mr. Padilla’s legal counsel Julius Henry M. Balteza said no counter-affidavit has been drafted yet as they are still in the process of studying the complaint, alleging that the senator helped Mr. dela Rosa evade authorities in May. On May 28, the Philippine National Police filed the complaint against Mr. Padilla and six other respondents including Lt. Col. Jean Alia Y. Robles. A DoJ spokesman on Tuesday confirmed that the summons have been issued for Mr. Padilla and Mr. Robles. Mr. Padilla has been directed to appear before the panel of prosecutors and to submit his counter-affidavit by Sept. 25 and Oct. 9. Mr. dela Rosa is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in relation to his role in the anti-illegal drug campaign of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte and has been at large since May. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel