Philippines Ombudsman orders Cayetano, Padilla to answer obstruction complaint

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines issued an order, dated June 23‑24, directing Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Robin Padilla and former Senate sergeant‑at‑arms Mao Aplasca to submit counter‑affidavits and any opposing evidence within 15 days. The filing responds to a June 3 obstruction of justice complaint lodged by civil‑society group Tindig Pilipinas and allied organizations. The complaint accuses the three officials of facilitating Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s escape from the Senate after a shootout with National Bureau of Investigation agents, despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Dela Rosa. The order also requires the respondents to serve copies of their filings on the complainants, who may then file a reply affidavit within five days. Failure to file within the deadline will be deemed a submission, after which the anti‑graft body will proceed with resolution. Aplasca had previously been suspended following the May 13 incident involving NBI agents and Senate personnel.