The Department of Justice (DOJ) is hopeful that the newly installed Senate leadership will offer stronger cooperation in the investigation regarding the May 13 shooting incident that led to the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Acting Justice Secretary Frederick Vida revealed that the chamber’s previous leadership, overseen by former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, had put off the DOJ’s request to perform an ocular inspection of the crime scene.
At the time, officials argued that independent investigations were already being conducted by separate law enforcement agencies, including the police.
Furthermore, Vida noted that the delay was tied to the fact that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a component agency of the DOJ, was directly involved in the events that unfolded inside the Senate building on May 13.
“With the change in the Senate leadership, we are expecting and hoping that there would be more coordination and cooperation with the panel,” said Vida, referring to the Panel of Prosecutors he tasked to investigate the incident.
The leadership transition concluded on Wednesday, June 17, as Senator Win Gatchalian officially assumed the Senate presidency after securing a decisive 13th vote with the backing of Senator Joel Villanueva.
Vida explained that while investigators have extracted vital information from closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, a physical walkthrough of the premises remains essential to give the panel a comprehensive understanding of the case.
During a press briefing, the acting justice chief shared that the exact timeline of the gunfire incident is steadily coming together as more evidence is processed.
According to Vida, current findings indicate that the maneuvers executed by the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, led by retired police general Mao Aplasca, lacked justification.
He added that the gathered evidence contradicts narratives pushed by Cayetano and several other lawmakers claiming the Senate was under an active attack during the confrontation.
Vida maintained that the independent Panel of Prosecutors was formed solely to uncover the facts and assign responsibility objectively.
“The objective is simple: to establish the facts and determine accountability wherever the evidence may lead,” Vida emphasized.