DoJ: Padilla case separate from ICC proceedings

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) said the obstruction of justice complaint against Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla is separate from any proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC). “The complaint that is now before the panel is filed by our Philippine National Police. So it is independent of and separate from any possible case or any matter before the ICC,” Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman E. Dato told a press briefing on Thursday. The complaint, filed by the Philippine National Police through its Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on May 28, alleges that Mr. Padilla helped Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa evade authorities after leaving the Senate on May 14. Mr. Padilla had acknowledged giving Mr. dela Rosa a ride as he left the chamber after authorities attempted to serve him with an ICC arrest warrant the previous day. Mr. dela Rosa remains wanted by the court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s deadly anti-drug campaign. The National Prosecution Service issued the subpoenas on Sept. 11. The respondents are required to submit their counter-affidavits and supporting evidence at hearings set for Sept. 25 and Oct. 9. “Failure to appear will be considered a waiver of the right to present a defense and the case will be resolved based on the evidence on record,” Mr. Dato said. He said the issuance of a subpoena is not a finding of guilt, as the complaint remains at the preliminary investigation stage and respondents have the opportunity to answer the allegations. Mr. Padilla earlier said the complaint stemmed from an ICC arrest warrant for Mr. dela Rosa and that he felt discriminated against because a fellow Filipino was complaining against him over an incident involving a foreign court. “My case stemmed from an arrest warrant issued by the ICC, which is a foreign entity. I feel like I am being discriminated against… I hope you just bring the case to the ICC since they are the ones saying that I made a mistake there,” Mr. Padilla said in Filipino during a press briefing on Wednesday after receiving the DoJ subpoena. He said he would comply with the summon and face the complaint through due process. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez