DOJ: Duty-bound to act on complaints, refutes Padilla's 'discrimination' claim

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday clarified that it is duty-bound to act on complaints filed, in response to Senator Robin Padilla’s remarks that he felt “discriminated” against over his obstruction of justice case. "Were duty-bound, as soon as we receive any complaint to request any respondent to appear before us to submit their counteraffidavits and their supporting evidence via a subpoena," Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said at a press briefing. Last week, the DOJ issued a subpoena for Padilla in connection to his obstruction of justice complaint over Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate premises amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against him. Padilla, after receiving the subpoena, said he felt discriminated against as the case stemmed from an international arrest warrant. He said that the government should just bring the case to the tribunal. Dato, meanwhile, stressed that the subpoena is not a finding of guilt but an opportunity to give respondents the opportunity to be heard. "The issuance of a subpoena is not a finding of guilt. This is the preliminary investigation stage where respondents are given the full opportunity to answer the allegations before any finding of a prima facie case is made," he said. The DOJ directed Padilla to appear before the panel of prosecutors and to submit his counter-affidavit on September 25, Friday, and October 9, Friday. Dato warned that a failure to appear will be considered a waiver to the respondents’ right to be heard. "Failure to appear will be considered a waiver of the right to defense and the case will be resolved based on the evidence on record," he said. He assured that the complaint will be resolved based on evidence and the law. Meanwhile, Padilla maintained that he did not help Dela Rosa escape and that his colleague only hitched a ride in his car.