Padilla subpoenaed over obstruction of justice complaint

MANILA, Philippines – The National Prosecution Service (NPS) has summoned Sen. Robinhood Padilla to appear before a panel of prosecutors and answer the obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.

The complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), represented by PCPT. Ericson C. Roc of the Anti-Organized Crime Unit under the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-AOCU) in May following the supposed escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the early morning of May 14, hours after the Senate shooting incident.

Padilla earlier admitted that dela Rosa hitched a ride with him as he was leaving the Senate premises. He maintained that there was nothing wrong with giving dela Rosa a ride because the senator was not a fugitive and had no locally issued arrest warrant at the time.

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DOJ spokesperson, lawyer Polo Martinez, said the complaint had undergone evaluation.

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The evaluation serves as the DOJ’s initial screening process, during which prosecutors review the documents and evidence submitted by the CIDG to determine whether the complaint warrants a full-blown criminal investigation.

If the evaluation finds sufficient grounds, the DOJ will formally docket the case to conduct a thorough preliminary investigation. On this phase, Padilla and his co-respondents will be required to respond to the complaint and submit their own sets of evidence.

Padilla, his co-respondents are required to present their counter-affidavits and supporting evidence to the DOJ on two scheduled hearing dates – Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.

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“The Department confirms that subpoenas were served on Sen. Robinhood Padilla and Lt. Col. Jean Alla Yasin Robles at around 2:30 p.m. today at the Senate, in connection with the pending complaint against them for alleged violation of PD 1829 (Obstruction of Justice),” Martinez said.

Under P.D. 1829, obstruction of justice covers acts that knowingly obstruct, impede, frustrate, or delay the apprehension of suspects and the prosecution of criminal cases.

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Padilla’s office has yet to issue an official statement regarding the subpoena as of posting time./dp