The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robin Padilla, along with former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, to respond to an obstruction of justice complaint.
The order, dated June 24, gives the three respondents 15 days to submit their comments on the complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas on June 3. The complaint concerns allegations that the respondents helped Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa evade arrest at the Senate on May 14.
The complaint states that Cayetano placed Dela Rosa under Senate protective custody without legal basis. It also claims Padilla drove Dela Rosa away from the Senate grounds in his vehicle after a shooting incident on May 13.
Aplasca is accused of ordering security measures that blocked National Bureau of Investigation agents. The order states that failure to respond will lead to the case proceeding without further input from the respondents.
