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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Padilla snubbed Ombudsman order to answer obstruction of justice complaint—Remulla

Padilla snubbed Ombudsman order to answer obstruction of justice complaint—Remulla

Published Jul 17, 2026 03:26 pm
(PHOTO: ROBIN PADILLA FACEBOOK PAGE)
(PHOTO: ROBIN PADILLA FACEBOOK PAGE)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Friday, July 17, said Senator Robin Padilla has opted to snub the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) after he did not file a counter-affidavit for the obstruction of justice complaint in connection with the incident involving Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa at the Senate.
“Surprisingly, one person has chosen to ignore the Ombudsman’s order. That’s Senator Robin Padilla. Maybe we will just adopt the arguments of the persons who are charged with him,” he said during a media briefing.
“He has not filed anything. He has not responded. He has not said anything about the cases, the summons given to him. The deadline has passed. I don’t know. He chooses to ignore the Ombudsman, then so be it. Wala siyang defense (He has no defense),” he went on.
Remulla said Padilla seems to have chosen to waive his right to present his side.
“They have a chance to deny or dispute or reason out. He can choose to waive everything. Looks like he has chosen to waive it. I don’t know if he’s being given any legal advice,” he said.
The OMB said Padilla’s co-respondent, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, already filed his counter-affidavit.
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Meantime, Remulla said dismissed Acting Senate Sergeant at Arms Mao Aplasca had sought an extension to file his counter-affidavit
“Si Mr. Aplasca asked for [an] extension, so we granted him an extension to file his counter affidavit,” he said.
On June 23, the Ombudsman’s Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication, and Monitoring Office (PAMO) ordered the respondents to submit their counter-affidavits and supporting evidence within a non-extendible 15-day period upon receipt of the order.
The order was issued after Tindig Pilipinas filed a complaint on June 3 accusing the respondents of obstruction of justice in relation to the alleged escape of Dela Rosa.
The complaint stemmed from the May 13 Senate lockdown, which was imposed following reports of an attempt to arrest Dela Rosa. Members of the media inside the Senate complex reported hearing several gunshots during the incident.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant against him over at least 32 killings allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

Related Tags

OMBUDSMAN JESUS CRISPIN REMULLA ROBIN PADILLA BATO DELA ROSA SENATE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
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