Robin Padilla's remarks on facing complaints revive criticism over helping 'Bato' Dela Rosa evade arrest

Senator-judge Robin Padilla was reminded of his role in the escape of colleague, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, after he commented on facing complaints to NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc during the impeachment trial. Padilla on Tuesday, July 14, advised the National Bureau of Investigation BARMM regional director to face the complaints filed against him during his 12 years of service. During the trial, the senator asked Lotoc whether any case had been filed against him. “Di po ba po, dapat ang reaksyon ng isang tao, kapag may kaso, harapin?” Padilla said. “Mas maganda po, harapin niyo po agad, lalong-lala na po… kasi napakahalaga po ngayon nito. Ito po ay, ang pinag-uusapan natin dito ay napakahalaga,” the senator added. Lotoc was the head of the NBI’s Cybercrime Division when Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez during a 2024 press conference. He also told Padilla that it was “normal” for NBI agents to face complaints because of the sensitive nature of their work. “Hindi po namin tatakbuhan ‘yan, sir,” Lotoc said, adding that he has yet to receive any notice from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the complaints. Meanwhile, Padilla’s remarks to the NBI official drew attention from some Filipinos, who recalled the senator’s role in helping a colleague leave the Senate premises while the latter was facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). “The irony of him saying he should face it but letting BATO run from ICCs hahaahha,” a Facebook user commented. “Big words from Sen. Padilla for the witness. Just wondering if he gave the same advice to Sen. Bato when they were ‘walking’ away. The bias is not just obvious. It is blatant,” another wrote, adding an eyeroll emoji. “Back to you, Robin, for your question, or tell Bato to show up pronto,” a different Pinoy commented. “Sabi nung nagpatakas kay Bato,” another said. Padilla was the one who helped Dela Rosa leave the Senate compound in the early hours of May 14. The incident occurred after a shooting incident stemming from coordination issues between personnel stationed at the Senate complex and National Bureau of Investigation agents deployed near the adjacent Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) facility. The NBI and the Philippine National Police said the situation involved warning shots fired during a tense standoff near a restricted access point between the Senate and the GSIS compound. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso had sought the NBI’s assistance in “fortifying” security at the GSIS premises after Dela Rosa asked his supporters to hold a prayer vigil at the Senate. Dela Rosa was later seen leaving in a white sport utility vehicle owned by Padilla. ALSO READ: 1999 action film of Padilla edited in reference to Bato’s Senate getaway Padilla said he had only informed Dela Rosa that he needed to go home because his wife, Mariel Rodriguez, was looking for him. According to Padilla, Dela Rosa, then asked if he could ride with him. Padilla dropped Dela Rosa off in Makati City, where the senator was later picked up by his own vehicle. The ICC has identified Dela Rosa as an “indirect co-perpetrator” of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. He is accused of crimes against humanity of murder over his alleged role as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 during the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs operations. Dela Rosa is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC and is listed as “at large” on the court’s wanted list published on its website. Last June, Padilla said he would not reveal his colleague’s whereabouts. READ: Padilla’s refusal to reveal Bato’s whereabouts raises obstruction of justice concerns