SENATOR Robin Padilla has disclosed that he has received a subpoena issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with a complaint charging him with obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders.
The subpoena compels Padilla to respond to allegations that he assisted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in evading authorities on May 14, 2026 — the date the former Philippine National Police chief went into hiding to avoid arrest.
The complaint stems from claims that Padilla provided aid or facilitation that enabled dela Rosa to elude law enforcement officers tasked with serving an arrest warrant against him. Since that day, dela Rosa has remained at large, with no confirmed sightings or official communications from the fugitive former top cop.
The DOJ’s subpoena marks a formal step in determining whether Padilla’s actions constituted a criminal offense that interfered with the legal process.
Obstruction of apprehension and prosecution carries serious legal implications, particularly when alleged against sitting members of Congress.
The DOJ is expected to seek sworn statements and documentary evidence from Padilla to verify his whereabouts, actions, and any communications he may have had with dela Rosa around the time of the reported escape. Padilla has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations beyond his confirmation that the subpoena had been served.
The case adds another layer of complexity to the search for dela Rosa, who has effectively disappeared from public view. Investigators are working to establish the full scope of assistance the fugitive senator may have received, and whether Padilla’s alleged involvement forms part of a broader network aiding his evasion.
metrosundaily
