The Office of the Ombudsman ordered Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, and former Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca to respond to an obstruction of justice complaint in connection with Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s escape.

Twelve days after Francis Aquino Dee’s group filed the complaint, the Ombudsman called on the respondents to file their counter-affidavits in response to their purported violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829, reported RH 5 Val Gonzales on Thursday, June 25.

The respondents were given a non-extendible period of 15 days from receipt of the order to file their counter-affidavits.

The Ombudsman strictly forbids any motion for extension of time, motion to dismiss, motion for bill of particulars, and other attempts at delaying the process.

“If the respondents do not file their counter-affidavits within the reglementary period despite due notice, or cannot be served with or refuses to receive this order to file counter-affidavit, the complaint shall be deemed submitted for resolution and no further pleadings or documents shall be entertained,” the Ombudsman wrote in a document dated June 23.

Former Senate president Cayetano and Padilla personally received copies of the orders on June 24 at 10:15 a.m.

Senator Padilla has previously denied claims that he aided Dela Rosa in escaping Senate premises, asserting that they would not have been able to leave unnoticed with the sheer number of security personnel scattered inside and outside the building.

“Paano kami tatakas? Ang daming pulis sa loob at labas ng Senado, may CCTV pa. Wala namang humarang sa amin,” he said in an interview.

Likewise, Cayetano opposed Dela Rosa’s arrest, slamming a resolution filed by five senators urging the latter to voluntarily surrender. He claimed that the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) was premature and politically charged, given Senate tensions.