The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robin Padilla, along with former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, to submit their counter-affidavits in response to an obstruction of justice complaint filed by several civic groups.

In an order served on 24 June, the Ombudsman directed the three respondents to file their counter-affidavits within a non-extendible period of 15 days at its main office in Quezon City.

The respondents were also instructed to furnish copies of their submissions to the complainants, who will then have the opportunity to file reply-affidavits addressing the defenses raised.

The Ombudsman said failure to submit a response within the prescribed period would result in the case being deemed submitted for resolution, effectively waiving the respondents' right to file additional pleadings or supporting documents.

The complaint was filed by Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee and other civic group leaders over the alleged escape of Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa from the Senate on 14 May.

According to the complaint, Cayetano, who was serving as Senate president at the time, allegedly placed Dela Rosa under protective custody inside the Senate while law enforcement authorities were attempting to serve an arrest warrant against him.

Padilla, meanwhile, was identified in CCTV footage as the senator who allegedly allowed Dela Rosa to leave the Senate in his vehicle before dropping him off at an undisclosed location in Makati City.

At the time the complaint was filed, Dee said the petition reflected growing public concern over recent developments in the Senate.

"This is just a continuation of the numerous calls of the public and civil society that are alarmed, saddened, confused, and angered by the current state of the Senate," he said.

As of Thursday, Dela Rosa remained at large, with authorities yet to determine his whereabouts following the incident.