The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Tuesday that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was seen leaving the Senate premises after the shooting incident on May 13, 2026, riding a vehicle registered to Senator Robin Padilla.
PNP Presents Evidence
During a press briefing at the Palace, PNP chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. presented video footage showing a white Toyota Fortuner exiting the Senate around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14. The PNP has not yet released the full video to the media, which allegedly shows Dela Rosa leaving the Senate.
According to the official, a PNP records inquiry revealed that the vehicle is registered under Padilla’s name. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also confirmed that the vehicle seen in the footage belongs to Padilla.
“That is them getting away,” Remulla said while showing another video of the vehicle leaving the Senate.
Padilla’s Response
Padilla earlier admitted that the vehicle in the video is his, but he refused to confirm whether Dela Rosa was inside it. “Let’s just wait for the investigation,” Padilla replied with a laugh when asked if Dela Rosa was with him in the vehicle.
Background of the Incident
It can be recalled that on May 11, Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate for the first time since November 2025 to vote in favor of changing the Senate leadership. After his allies gained control of the Senate leadership, a motion was immediately approved to place Dela Rosa under the protective custody of the Senate.
This stemmed from the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation that it had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa for his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs when he was PNP chief.
