Ombudsman: No record yet of Padilla’s reply in Bato escape raps

Sen. Robinhood Padilla. File photo by INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday said it has not received Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s reply to an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him over his alleged role in Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s escape. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano made the statement after Padilla, during the Senate impeachment court proceedings, said he had already submitted his counter-affidavit in connection with the complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas. READ: Ombudsman: Robin ignored summons in Bato escape probe Article continues after this advertisement Clavano, however, said Padilla’s submission did not reflect in their system. “It’s good that he submitted a counter-affidavit, which he said is an original, but it does not reflect in our system,” Clavano said in Filipino. “We will rely on what our system says, and we will take it from there.” However, Padilla’s camp said the counter-affidavit was filed in the Ombudsman on July 9. Padilla made this known after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he “ignored” the anti-graft body’s summons on their probe. So far, the Clavano reiterated that only Padilla’s co-respondents, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and suspended Senate sergeant-at-arms Ma. O. Aplasca have filed their respective counter-affidavits. Article continues after this advertisement On May 11, armed with the International Criminal Court warrant, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents tried to arrest Dela Rosa when he surfaced in the Senate after hiding for more than six months. But the senator managed to elude them and get “protective custody” from the chamber, which was granted by Cayetano. Article continues after this advertisement On May 13, the Senate standoff culminated in a shooting incident between Office of sergeant-at-arms personnel and NBI agents at GSIS Complex where the Senate building is located. After the tension prompted by the shooting incident, Dela Rosa went back into hiding after leaving the chamber’s premises with Padilla aboard the latter’s vehicle in the early hours of May 14. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has officially concluded that Dela Rosa’s transport to Padilla was not a “mere hitch ride” but “a highly coordinated, preplanned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection while escaping the Senate premises.” Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. READ: CIDG: Padilla helped Dela Rosa escape, liable for ‘obstruction’