The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Robin Padilla, and former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca to respond to an obstruction of justice complaint filed by the group Tindig Pilipinas.
The complaint stems from an incident involving Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the Senate last month.
In a directive dated June 23, the Ombudsman’s Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication, and Monitoring Office (PAMO) gave the respondents a strict, non-extendible 15-day deadline from receipt of the notice to submit their counter-affidavits and defense evidence.
“Acting on the sworn complaint, the above-named respondents are hereby directed to submit their counter-affidavit/s and controverting evidence to the said complaint,” the order stated.
Tindig Pilipinas initiated the legal action on June 3, and the respondents are required to furnish the complainant with copies of their official responses. Following receipt of the defense submissions, Tindig Pilipinas will have a five-day window to file a reply-affidavit.
The anti-graft body emphasized that if the respondents miss the 15-day deadline, the case will immediately move to resolution based on existing records, and no further submissions will be permitted.