Senator Robin Padilla has ignored the Office of the Ombudsman's order directing him to submit a counter-affidavit in response to an obstruction of justice complaint alleging that he helped Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa escape from the Senate, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference, Remulla said Padilla failed to respond to the summons issued by the anti-graft body despite being ordered to answer the complaint.

"Surprisingly, one person chose to ignore the Ombudsman’s order, it’s Senator Robin Padilla. Maybe we will just adopt the arguments of the persons who are charged with him," Remulla said.

"He has not filed anything. He has not responded. He has not said anything about the cases and the summons given to him. The deadline has passed. I don’t know," the Ombudsman noted.

"He chooses to ignore the Ombudsman, then so be it," he added.

The complaint stems from allegations that Padilla helped Dela Rosa leave the Senate on May 14 while authorities were attempting to arrest the senator.

On June 25, the Ombudsman directed Padilla, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, and former Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca to submit their respective counter-affidavits within 15 days in response to the obstruction of justice complaint.

According to Remulla, Cayetano has already complied with the order after filing his counter-affidavit on Wednesday, July 15.

Meanwhile, Aplasca requested an extension to file his response.

“Si Mr. Aplasca asked for [an] extension, so we granted him an extension to file his counter affidavit,” he said.

The complaint is linked to the events of May 11, when agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), armed with a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), attempted to arrest Dela Rosa after he appeared at the Senate following more than six months out of public view.

Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the ICC, sought refuge at the Senate but left the premises hours after a shooting incident occurred there. He was later seen leaving the Senate with Padilla.

The Ombudsman said Padilla has yet to respond despite receiving previous notices requiring him to answer the allegations. The obstruction of justice complaint accuses several officials of allegedly helping Dela Rosa evade arrest.