WATCH: Robin Padilla questioned over role in Bato’s Senate escape

Senator Robin Padilla is being viewed as a person of interest following the escape of fellow Duterte ally Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday.

Dela Rosa slipped out of the Senate building Thursday morning amid a possible arrest after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him in connection with his role in the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.

Earlier reports said Dela Rosa left the Senate premises together with Padilla, a detail later confirmed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate security chief Mao Aplasca.

Appearing on three of the primetime newscasts Monday, Padilla declined to comment on whether he played a role in Dela Rosa’s disappearance, saying an NBI probe is ongoing and that he would rather address the matter in the proper forum.

“Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin po sa inyo na hindi ko po ‘yan masasagot sapagkat ito po ay naging opisyal nang imbestigasyon. Kaya ang pinakamaganda po dito ay ako po’y makapaghayag muna kung sinuman po ang aatasan ng gobyerno na mag-imbestiga,” Padilla said during a split-screen interview with TV Patrol anchor Karen Davila.

Davila then raised the issue of whether Padilla considers Dela Rosa a fugitive and whether he helped him escape.

“Pero Senator, bakit di niyo po ito masagot? Itinuturing niyo po bang pugante si Dela Rosa? Tumulong po ba kayo sa pugante?” she asked.

“Hindi po ‘yan ang posisyon ng mayorya. Ang posisyon po namin ay hindi po namin tinatanggap ang warrant of arrest galing sa ICC. Ang inaantay po namin ay ‘yung warrant of arrest ng local court po,” he said.

Padilla also appeared on 24 Oras, where anchor Mel Tiangco repeatedly pressed him on the same issue.

The senator avoided giving a direct answer several times, prompting Tiangco to bring up a video footage captured by GMA News showing an SUV reportedly owned by Padilla on the morning Dela Rosa left the Senate premises.

“Nakasakay po ba dyan si Senator Bato Dela Rosa nung nakunan ‘yan?” Tiangco asked, drawing a surprised reaction and laughter from the senator, who appeared taken aback by her persistence.

“Antayin na lang po natin, Tita Mel, ‘yung imbestigasyon. Pero akin po ‘yan. Alam po ng lahat ng tao dito na kotse ko po ‘yan,” Padilla said.

“Eh kayo ba ang nakasakay doon, Sir?” Tiangco quickly followed up.

“Antayin na lang po natin imbestigasyon,” Padilla answered before Tiangco cut in: “Pati kayo hindi pwedeng itanong?”

The senator also faced similar questions during an interview with Korina Sanchez on Agenda, who was broadcasting live from the Senate.

“Inutos po ba, ito po ay tanong ng bayan, ng partido na ipuslit si Senador Bato Dela Rosa?” Sanchez asked.

“Ay wala pong nangyaring puslit. Ako po ay handang humarap sa imbestigasyon. Katunayan gustong-gusto ko na din pong magkwento sa mga tao pero dahil in-official po nila na magkakaroon ng imbestigasyon kaya mas maganda po na doon na lang ako magpapahatig sa kanila at maglalahad kung ano po ‘yung alam ko,” Padilla answered.