NEWS

DoJ resets Padilla inquest

DT · Sep 25, 2026, 10:13 PM

SENATOR Robin Padilla arrives at the Department of Justice in Manila on 25 September for the preliminary investigation into an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him. The proceedings, however, were postponed, putting the anticipated face-off on hold. — Photograph by Toto Lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE

Senator Robinhood Padilla could not file his counter-affidavit with the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday after the court reset the hearing on his obstruction of justice complaint, a lawyer said.

Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, counsel for the other respondents and a known Duterte ally, said the court reset the hearing because the complainants failed to furnish them with a copy of the information that was filed.

The lawyer noted that the development was “very anti-climactic” given the fact that Padilla’s appearance at the DoJ led to no real progress in the case.

“[Padilla] has yet to respond because it is incomplete. Although we are prepared, it is difficult to reply to an incomplete complaint,” Bondoc explained to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

APC, Aplasca also rapped

Aside from Padilla, the complaint also charged former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

The complaint alleged that the three respondents helped internationally wanted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa “escape” from Senate premises on 14 May.

The arrest warrant against Dela Rosa came from the International Criminal Court, which is conducting the trial on the crimes against humanity case versus former President Rodrigo Duterte.