Civil society groups file obstruction raps vs. Cayetano, Padilla, Aplasca over Bato dela Rosa escape

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]Senate President Alan Peter Cayatano is now facing an obstruction of justice complaint before the office of the ombbudsman over the escape of Senator Ronald Bat de la Rosa from the Senate complex. Joan Manalo is there at the budsman. Joan, tell us more.

[00:00:20]Martini Filipinas co-conveners Kikiwa Kimodia and Sylvia Claudio together with members of civil society groups filed an obstruction of justice complaint before the office of the ombbitsman today that is against Senate President Alan Peter Kayatano, Senator Robin Padilia and suspended acting Senate Surgeon- Arms Maaska. This complaint stems from their alleged roles in the reported escape of Senator Bau de la Rosa during the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate. D said the complaint seeks to uphold a fundamental democratic principle that no one is above the law. He stressed that the rule of law requires accountability and that public office must never be used as a shield against justice. He further argued that when public officials use their positions to frustrate lawful processes and protect their allies from accountability, they betray the public trust and undermine democratic institutions. The complainants maintained that the case is not simply about one individual, but about defending the integrity of public institutions and ensuring that accountability mechanisms function without political interference. They also rejected attempts to portray the International Criminal Court or ICC process as an attack on Philippine sovereignty, arguing that the pursuit of justice for grave crimes is consistent to the country's commitment to the rule of law and the human rights. The complainants then called on the office of the ombbudsman to conduct an impartial investigation and to ensure that public officials found to have obstructed justice are held accountable under the law. Meanwhile, Tindig Filipina's co-convener Sylvia Claudia said they have also furnished the ICC with a copy of the complaint as a matter of courtesy and for its information.

[00:02:02]Maya Joan, have members of uh civil society groups reacted to the Senate fiasco?

[00:02:21]Martin Filipinas co-convener Kiko Aino said they actually support calls for Senate President Alan Peter Cayatano to resign or step down from his post and he argued that the current disorder in the Senate is unprecedented in the country's history and noted that these controversies emerged during during Kayatanu's tenure as a Senate President with that Ad also said that their group is exploring possible legal remedies to hold senators accountable over what he described as a dereliction of duty in the recent weeks. And the complainants also added and know that they're also studying the p the possibility of filing an ethics complaint before the Senate uh which could lead to administrative sanctions against senators who allegedly assisted in the reported escape of Senator Brosa. May thank you Joan Manalo live from the office of the ombbudsman.