MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, announced it was filing a complaint for obstruction of justice against Senator Robinhood Padilla and several others before the Department of Justice (DOJ). The complaint stems from the alleged escape of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa from Senate custody during a committee hearing.
According to a verified report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) dated May 27, 2026, the CIDG stated that the complaint is based on evidence gathered from CCTV footage and witness testimonies. The incident reportedly occurred on May 20, 2026, when Dela Rosa was under the custody of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms during a hearing on the drug war. Padilla, along with other individuals, is accused of facilitating or allowing Dela Rosa's escape.
Senator Padilla has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. In a statement released on May 26, 2026, Padilla said he was merely performing his duties as a senator and that the escape was a result of a security lapse by the Senate. The DOJ has yet to comment on the filing, but sources indicate the complaint will be evaluated for probable cause.
The case has sparked debates in the Senate, with some lawmakers calling for a separate investigation into the incident. The CIDG emphasized that the filing is part of its commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability.
