Senator Robinhood Padilla came to the defense of fellow Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after media questioned him about Dela Rosa's alleged hiding in light of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. In an interview on Monday, May 18, Padilla stated that as far as he knows, Dela Rosa does not want to be “kidnapped,” responding to queries about why he has not been seen publicly.
“As for me, Bato doesn't want to be kidnapped,” Padilla said. This marks Padilla’s first public appearance since Thursday, when reports surfaced that he was with Dela Rosa when the latter left the Senate hours after a shooting incident inside the chamber.
Padilla refused to confirm whether he himself drove or escorted Dela Rosa out of the Senate, but said he would answer all questions in the proper investigation. He also insisted that, based on what Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano allegedly said, there is no existing arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, so there is no reason to claim he is fleeing from a crime.
Padilla further denied reports that Dela Rosa was seen at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or that they left aboard a yacht. According to him, it would be unreasonable for them to appear in such places if they intended to leave the country.
