Padilla admits vehicle caught leaving Senate belongs to him 

Senator Robin Padilla on Monday admitted that the vehicle caught exiting the Senate premises in the wee hours of May 14 belongs to him.

“Ay opo, opo, sasakyan ko po ‘yan. Nakita niyo naman, ayan ang pinaka-humble na sasakyan sa Senate, Fortuner lang,” he said in an interview with “24 Oras.”

(Oh yes, yes, that is my vehicle. As you can see, that’s the most humble vehicle in the Senate—just a Fortuner.)

But when asked if the vehicle was carrying Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who reportedly escaped the Senate, Padilla responded with a laugh: “Antayin na lang natin yung imbestigasyon.”

(Let's just wait for the investigation.)

After being placed under Senate’s protective custody on May 11, Dela Rosa was reported to be no longer in the upper chamber on May 14.

Based on videos captured by GMA News, various vehicles were seen leaving the Senate basement parking between 2:30 and 3 a.m. of May 14.

At 2:32 a.m. a white Toyota Fortuner left the Senate, based on a GMA News video.

The Senate logbook indicated that Senator Robin Padilla departed at 2:35 a.m.

Padilla earlier confirmed that Dela Rosa is still in the Philippines, but he has no idea of his whereabouts.

Further, Padilla confirmed that he has been with Dela Rosa since May 11.

“Naku, tatlong gabi, tatlong araw kaming magkasama ni Senator Bato dito. Dito po kami natutulog,” he said.

(Oh, Senator Bato and I were together here for three nights and three days. We were sleeping here.)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier confirmed that the Pre-Trial Chamber I issued the warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa last November 6, 2025, in connection with the crimes against humanity case involving former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the height of the Duterte administration’s drug war.

For his part, Padilla said that they will only recognize the arrest warrant issued by a local court.

“Patungkol po sa warrant arrest ng ICC, ay hindi po namin tinatanggap ‘yan. Malinaw naman po, na ang posisyon ng Senado, ng aming mayorya sa ngayon, ang hinihintay namin ay yung warrant of arrest ng local court,” he said.

(Regarding the ICC's arrest warrant, we do not recognize that. It is very clear that the position of the Senate—of our majority right now—is that we are waiting for an arrest warrant from a local court.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/GMA News