Robin Padilla ‘happy’ to face DOJ over obstruction complaint

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Robin Padilla said on Wednesday he will appear before Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors, adding that he was “happy” to be subpoenaed to answer an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.

The Philippine National Police filed a complaint against Padilla for allegedly aiding the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the early morning of May 14. Dela Rosa faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity in the drug war.

“Naligayahan po ako… Hindi ako nalugmok, hindi ako nalungkot,” Padilla said, sharing how he reacted to the subpoena.

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(I was happy… I wasn’t depressed, I wasn’t sad.)

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Asked if he will appear before the DOJ panel of prosecutors to explain himself, Padilla answered in the affirmative. 

READ: Padilla subpoenaed over obstruction of justice complaint

Padilla was required by the DOJ to present his counteraffidavit on September 25 and October 9.

On the early morning of May 14, only hours after the Senate shooting incident, Dela Rosa, now at-large, was seen in the Senate’s CCTV cameras boarding Padilla’s vehicle. 

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A few days prior, the ICC unsealed its arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, which was issued in November 2025 – around the same time Dela Rosa went into hiding for the first time.

But Padilla insisted that no “escape” happened. 

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“Walang takas na nagaganap. Siya po ay sumakay lang sa aking sasakyan,” Padilla asserted.

(There is no escape. He just got into my car.)

Padilla also expressed that he is not afraid of facing the obstruction of justice case.

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Instead, Padilla’s legal counsel Atty. Henry Balteza vowed that the senator will comply with the DOH, further stressing that “the actions of Sen. Padilla are in no way illegal.” /jpv