OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Friday that Senator Robin Padilla has not submitted any counter‑affidavit or response despite the deadline set by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with a complaint alleging he helped Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa evade arrest.
“If he chooses not to respond to the Ombudsman, that is his decision. We will issue a resolution even without his counter‑affidavit,” Remulla stated, noting that the window to file his defense has already closed.
On June 23, the Ombudsman directed Padilla, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and former Senate Sergeant‑at‑Arms Ma. O. Aplasca to answer the complaint lodged by citizens’ group Tindig Pilipinas.
While Cayetano has already filed his response, Aplasca sought and was granted additional time to submit her pleading. Padilla, however, has remained silent and has not communicated any reason for his non‑compliance, authorities said.
The case stems from events last May, when Dela Rosa was reportedly whisked out of the Senate premises while National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the departure was not a casual ride-along but a pre-arranged move meant to conceal Dela Rosa’s exit and avoid being tracked by law enforcers.
Remulla clarified that the Ombudsman will proceed with evaluating the evidence on hand and issuing a ruling regardless of Padilla’s silence. The failure to file a defense is taken as a waiver of his right to contest the allegations during the preliminary investigation, allowing the office to resolve the complaint based on available records and submissions from the other parties.
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