Padilla denies ignoring Ombudsman’s summons

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday denied that he “ignored” the Office of the Ombudsman’s summons directing him to respond to a complaint accusing him of helping Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa “escaped”. Padilla made the clarification in his capacity as a senator-judge during the seventh day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. READ: Ombudsman: Padilla ‘ignores’ summons on raps over Dela Rosa ‘escape’ Article continues after this advertisement “What the Ombudsman said was that I did not comply with their request to file my counter affidavit, this is unfortunate because this is not true,” Padilla said. “We filed, I have the original, because the original is important to me… I submitted a counter-affidavit.” Padilla during his manifestation, however, did not specify when exactly he or his office submitted his counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman. He also blamed the media for reporting that he failed to comply with the Ombudsman’s summons, describing the reports as “propaganda.” However, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla himself said on Friday, July 17, that Padilla had ignored the summons. Article continues after this advertisement According to Remulla, Padilla and his fellow respondents Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and dismissed Senate sergeant-at-arms Ma O. Aplasca were given a “non-extendible period of 15 days” to respond to the June 3 complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas. Remulla said Padilla “has not said anything about the cases and the summons given to him.” Article continues after this advertisement INQUIRER, along with various media organizations, also repeatedly sought his and his office’s comment on the matter—since Remulla made the pronouncement—but received no response. /dp Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.