That is AI generated summarization, which can have errors. For context, all the time confer with the complete article.
Requested why Senator Bato Dela Rosa is hiding, Senator Robin Padilla says the previous police chief ‘would not need to be kidnapped’
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Robin Padilla returned to the Senate on Monday, Might 18, together with his ordinary swagger and a conspicuous cup of espresso in hand.
However he didn’t arrive with two issues: Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has an Worldwide Legal Courtroom (ICC) arrest warrant linked to his function within the Duterte administration’s bloody drug conflict, and a transparent clarification on the circumstances surrounding his shut ally’s departure from the Senate after final week’s capturing incident.
Requested to substantiate whether or not he was with Dela Rosa on the night time after the incident, Padilla sidestepped the query, pointing as a substitute to the continuing investigation.
“Let’s simply look ahead to the official report,” he advised reporters on the sidelines of the plenary, whereas the session was suspended as senators wore their crimson robes for the convening of the impeachment courtroom.
“Umuwi lang ako ng bahay kasi tatlong araw na akong hinahanap ng asawa at anak ko (I went house as a result of my spouse and youngsters had been searching for me for 3 days),” he mentioned.
Padilla mentioned he and Dela Rosa had been collectively contained in the Senate for 3 days or from Monday, Might 11 to Wednesday, Might 13.
Newly put in Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier confirmed that Dela Rosa left the Senate constructing with Padilla.
The Nationwide Bureau of Investigation has tagged Padilla as a “particular person of curiosity” in its probe into Dela Rosa’s reported escape.
Pressed on whether or not he personally drove Dela Rosa out of the Senate, Padilla responded with a smile.
“Nako, intayin niyo ‘yung imbestigasyon (Let’s simply look ahead to the investigation),” he mentioned, pointing and smiling on the reporter who requested the query.
Nonetheless, Padilla categorically denied he accompanied Dela Rosa to the airport after the senator left the Senate earlier than daybreak on Thursday.
Padilla maintained that Dela Rosa has no warrant of arrest.
So, why is the previous Philippine Nationwide Police chief in hiding?
Dela Rosa is hiding from “kidnappers,” Padilla mentioned, a reference to the declare of supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte that he was “kidnapped” and dropped at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands in March 2025 to face prices of crimes towards humanity for homicide.
The Division of Justice and the Workplace of the Solicitor Common, nonetheless, have argued the Philippine authorities could give up suspects to the ICC below Republic Act No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes In opposition to Worldwide Humanitarian Legislation, Genocide, and Different Crimes In opposition to Humanity.
Confronted with that authorized argument, the actor-turned-politician brushed it apart.
“Let the attorneys argue. As for me, Bato doesn’t need to be kidnapped,” he mentioned.
After six months of being away from public view, Dela Rosa resurfaced within the higher chamber on Might 11 to help the Senate coup that put in Cayetano as Senate president. He had additionally earlier sought refuge within the Senate below what Cayetano described as “protecting custody.”
Nonetheless, Padilla insisted that Dela Rosa stays within the Philippines. – Rappler.com
