The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Philippines has confirmed that it conducted a preliminary investigation on October 9, 2026, regarding a complaint of obstruction of justice filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against Senator Robin Padilla. The investigation is related to allegations that Padilla assisted Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa in evading an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, the next hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2026. Padilla attended the initial hearing on September 25 but has not yet submitted his counter-affidavit.
The complaint was lodged by the PNP-CIDG on May 28, 2026, following an incident on May 14, during which Padilla allegedly helped Dela Rosa leave the Senate to avoid the arrest warrant. Padilla has strongly denied these allegations, asserting that he did not aid Dela Rosa in fleeing but rather gave him a ride out of the Senate building.