The Department of Justice (DOJ) is optimistic that the new leadership of the Senate would provide assistance in establishing the facts behind the May 13 gunfire amid the ongoing investigation to have a clear picture of the incident that ended with the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

The Senate leadership under Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano deferred the action on the request for an ocular inspection on the area where the gunfire erupted and according to DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida, it was because it was argued that there were already investigations being done by other agencies like the police.

And in addition, it was because the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which is under the DOJ, was a party to what happened in the Senate on May 13.

“With the change in the Senate leadership, we are expecting and hoping that there would be more coordination and cooperation with the panel,” said Vida, referring to the Prosecution Panel he ordered to look into the incident.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian officially became the Senate president on Wednesday, June 17, after getting the 13th vote, courtesy of Sen. Joel Villanueva.

Vida explained that while there was already CCTV footage that showed interesting information about what really happened, he still ordered for the ocular inspection of the Senate, or at least a walk through for the investigators to fully appreciate the facts.

In a press briefing, Vida revealed that the incident that happened in the Senate has started to become clear.

So far, he said what was established was that the actions taken by the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms under retired police general Mao Aplasca was not justified and that the Senate was not under attack as claimed by some senators led by then newly-installed and now ousted senate president Cayetano.

He said the creation of the Panel of Prosecutors was aimed at ferreting out the truth about the incident.

“The objective is simple: to establish the facts and determine accountability wherever the evidence may lead,” Vida emphasized.

The entire picture

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier said that the Senate gunfire and the escape of Dela Rosa were related.

Dela Rosa became the 13th vote to oust then Senate president Vicente Sotto III on May 11 and following his sudden appearance, the International Criminal Court unsealed the arrest warrant against him as a co-perpetrator in the bloody drug war.

Two days later, the Senate gunfire erupted and police investigators said Aplasca and his men were actually firing at no one amid their claim that there was an attempt to lay siege on the Senate.

Vida said they are looking into the totality of the entire incident, starting with the arrival of Dela Rosa at the Senate on May 11.

What they want to establish is whether or not all the significant incidents that happened then was part of a grand plan—the Senate protective custody for Dela Rosa, the claim that the Senate was under attack, the lockdown and eventually the escape.

“All these things are being looked into if these are all part of the obstruction of justice,” said Vida.

Because for Vida, one thing is clear: All those who extend assistance after the ICC unsealed the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa may be held liable.

Getting there

So far, Vida said everything is getting clear and it is only a matter of time before the Filipino people will find out the truth about what really happened in the Senate.

In the case of Sen. Robin Padilla for instance, he said the recommendation to charge him with obstruction of justice was referred back to the police for more documents and pieces of evidence.

“We assure the public that the DOJ will pursue the matter professionally, objectively and without fear or favor,” said Vida.

“No individual is above the law but equally important is that no person should be judged before evidence is duly examined,” he added.