Padilla may face obstruction of justice raps for aiding Dela Rosa’s Senate exit

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said that Senator Robin Padilla could face charges of obstruction of justice and harboring a fugitive over allegations that he helped facilitate the alleged exit of Senator Ronald dela Rosa from Senate premises.

In a report by RH Milky Rigonan on DZRH's Breaktime, De Lima, a former Justice Secretary, said Padilla may be held liable after allegedly assisting dela Rosa in leaving Senate protective custody and evading arrest linked to a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Obstruction of justice, harboring a criminal fugitive, aiding and abetting a criminal fugitive. Obstruction of justice, yan, malinaw po sa akin ‘yan,” de Lima said when asked about possible charges against Padilla.

According to de Lima, the Filipino people and the rule of law are the ones who lose when the former PNP chief escapes accountability for his responsibility.

She also argued that developments surrounding the case reinforce calls for proceedings involving allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte to be handled outside the Philippines, specifically at The Hague, Netherlands, under the ICC, citing concerns over potential influence on local institutions.

De Lima further said she would not be surprised if Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had any involvement in dela Rosa’s alleged escape, noting that he was among those who supported Cayetano during the Senate leadership change.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant against dela Rosa, who allegedly sought refuge inside the Senate building earlier in the week.

Earlier, Cayetano said that dela Rosa left the premises early Thursday morning, May 14, after the Supreme Court (SC) failed to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO), following the Senate shooting incident that happened on May 13.