Senator Robin Padilla said he is not afraid of possible imprisonment amid the obstruction of justice complaint filed against him, saying detention could give him an opportunity to draw closer to Allah.
In a Facebook Live on Saturday, a day after appearing before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Padilla said he would accept whatever outcome may arise from the case.
“Kung ito po ay matutuloy talaga tayo sa kulungan, alhamdulillah. Hindi po natin kinakatakutan yan,” Padilla said.
He said he viewed imprisonment as an opportunity to spend more time in prayer and religious reflection.
“Ang tingin po natin diyan ay mapapalapit tayo uli sa Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Magkakaroon po tayo ng oras para magbasa, magsagawa ng mga non-obligatory prayer,” he added.
Padilla also expressed uncertainty over the allegations against him, saying he does not know where he may have committed an error.
“Hindi ko po alam kung saan ako talaga nagkamali,” he said, adding that he had been careful to avoid violating the law.
The senator also thanked the Muslim and Christian supporters, political groups, friends and other individuals who gathered outside the DOJ during his appearance.
Padilla said he was surprised by the number of people who came to show their support, including individuals he did not personally know.
He also thanked the Philippine National Police for what he described as “maximum tolerance” during the gathering, which he said ended without violence.
Padilla appeared before the DOJ on Friday for the preliminary investigation into the obstruction of justice complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
The complaint stems from allegations that Padilla and other respondents helped Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa leave the Senate premises on May 14 as authorities sought to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Padilla has acknowledged that Dela Rosa rode in his vehicle but has denied helping him evade arrest.
The September 25 proceeding did not result in the filing of Padilla’s counter-affidavit. Prosecutors instead directed the PNP-CIDG to submit additional documents identified as annexes to the complaint.
The DOJ proceedings are set to continue, with Padilla maintaining that he will face the complaint as the preliminary investigation moves forward.
The PNP-CIDG initially filed the complaint against Padilla and his chief of staff, retired Lt. Col. Jean Alla Yasin Robles.
The DOJ has also clarified that the preliminary investigation is meant to determine whether there is sufficient basis to pursue the complaint and does not constitute a finding of guilt.
