Senator Robin Padilla said on Wednesday that he would prefer to have his obstruction of justice complaint brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he would rather face a foreign entity than fellow Filipinos.
Padilla made the remark after receiving a subpoena from the Department of Justice (DOJ) over his alleged role in helping Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa leave the Senate amid efforts to enforce an ICC arrest warrant against him.
“Ito galing sa puso ko... Ang kaso ko ay nagmula sa warrant of arrest ng ICC na isang dayuhan. Parang pakiramdam ko discriminated ako. Sana dalhin na lang ninyo sa ICC 'yung kaso tutal sila ang sinasabi na dun ako nagkaroon ng pagkakamali,” Padilla said.
“Para naman medyo mataas ‘yung pride ko. Proud naman ako na talagang dayuhan ‘yung kalaban ko kasi parang masakit naman na ang nagrereklamo sa akin kapwa ako Pilipino,” he added.
Padilla also said that if he committed any wrongdoing in connection with the ICC warrant, he would rather face the international court.
“Masakit para sa akin ‘yun. Masakit ‘yun. Kung gusto nila talaga akong gawing guilty, eh yung dayuhan ang mag-guilty sa akin. Huwag yung Pilipino, kapwa ako Pilipino. Masakit ‘yun,” he said.
The ICC, however, has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It is designed to complement, rather than replace, national courts and generally serves as a court of last resort for such international crimes.
The DOJ subpoenaed Padilla in connection with a complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), which accuses him and others of obstruction of the apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders.
Padilla is required to appear before the DOJ panel of prosecutors and submit his counter-affidavit and supporting documents on September 25 and October 9.
Padilla has acknowledged that Dela Rosa rode in his vehicle when the senator left the Senate on May 14, but has denied helping him evade arrest, saying Dela Rosa had asked him for a ride.
