Senator Robin Padilla denies helping in Senator Dela Rosa's 'escape'

Senator Robinhood Padilla rejected claims that he assisted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in leaving the Senate building during the early hours of Thursday (May 14, 2026) last week.

Padilla emphasized that there was no attempt to evade authorities, noting that all movement in and out of the premises was conducted openly and under a heavy security presence.

In an interview, Padilla stated that the idea of anyone "escaping" the Senate is unfounded. He noted that police officers and security personnel were stationed throughout the building and its grounds at the time.

“Paano kami tatakas? Ang daming pulis sa loob at labas ng Senado, may CCTV pa. Wala namang humarang sa amin,” Padilla claimed.

The senator said he stayed inside the building for three days to accompany Dela Rosa. This follows tensions that began last week when the senator returned to attend the session after a long absence.

Padilla described how the atmosphere became increasingly tense on Wednesday amid rumors of a possible leadership shift and expectations surrounding the arrival of impeachment articles.

“Ramdam mo na iba na ang ambience. May mga armadong kalalakihan na sa labas. May mga rally, may mga usapang lalala ang sitwasyon,” Padilla said.

He said tensions escalated following reports of shots fired at a lower level of the building. At that time, he and Dela Rosa were in their fifth-floor offices.

“May mga senador na natakot talaga. Madilim, walang ilaw, tense ang sitwasyon. May mga umiiyak na. Kaya bumaba ako para tingnan kung ayos lang ang lahat,” Padilla said, adding that he observed that Dela Rosa was more concerned about others’ safety than his own.

“Nakita ko kay Sen. Bato na iniisip niya kung paano madi-diffuse ang sitwasyon. Pulis kasi ang puso niyan,” Padilla said.

He also confirmed that Dela Rosa had spoken with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Jose Melencio Nartatez when they arrived at the Senate.

“Sabi ni Secretary Jonvic, ‘Hindi ako nandito para arestuhin ka pare, nandito ako para i-secure ang lugar.’ Magaan ang usapan, walang tensiyon,” Padilla recalled.

Padilla said no arrest warrant—either from the courts or local authorities—was presented by the NBI or the Philippine National Police, which he argued meant there was no legal basis for any claims of “escape.”

“Wala namang warrant. Ayon mismo sa Senate President, wala ring local warrant. Kaya very relaxed kami,” he said.

He further recounted that early Thursday morning, he told Dela Rosa he was going home because his wife was looking for him. According to him, dela Rosa decided to leave as well.

“Ang sabi ni Senator Bato, ‘Sasabay na ko.’ Alangan naming tanggihan ko yun? Walang sasakyan si Sen. Bato dahil inihatid lang sya sa Senado ng sasakyan ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano,” Padilla said.

Dela Rosa later went down in Makati, where his personal vehicle picked him up. Padilla said he did not ask where the senator went afterward.

Meanwhile, Padilla also rejected the label of “fugitive” being attached to dela Rosa, calling it unfair and politically driven.

“Para sa akin, hindi siya fugitive. Hindi ko matanggap na basta na lang natin tatawaging ganoon dahil sinabi ng dayuhan. Kailangan din nating igalang ang sarili nating proseso bilang bansa,” Padilla said.

The senator also urged the public not to let political tensions overshadow more urgent national issues such as jobs, wages, and anti-corruption efforts.

“Ang dami pa nating dapat pag-usapan — trabaho, tamang sweldo, aksyon laban sa korapsyon. Kung gusto nating linisin ang gobyerno, dapat lahat. Huwag tayong mamili,” Padilla said.

-Paraluman News