FACT CHECK: No decision, arrest warrant yet for Padilla over obstruction complaint

Claim: Senator Robin Padilla was arrested after he lost his obstruction of justice case.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video bearing the claim has gained 10,677 views, 634 likes, and 137 comments as of writing. The thumbnail shows Padilla being arrested, with the text saying, “Breaking news: Biglaang pagkulong kay Robin, talo sa kaso.” 

(Breaking news: Robin immediately imprisoned, defeated in court case.)

The comments also showed that people believed the claim to be true. “Dapat lang ikulong doon sya mag siga sigaan sa loob nang piitan at malalaman nya ang totoong siga nang silda,” one said.

(He deserves to be jailed. Let him try acting tough in prison; he’ll quickly learn who the true tough guys are there.)

The facts: While an obstruction of justice complaint has been filed against the senator, no further developments have occurred since the time the false claim was posted. No official announcements from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which received the complaint, or reliable media reports have mentioned any arrest warrant for Padilla or a decision on the complaint filed against him. 

As of writing, the DOJ is still evaluating the CIDG’s complaint to determine whether it warrants further proceedings.

The photo of Padilla being arrested could not be found on any official news reports or sites either, making it likely that the picture was edited and used as clickbait for engagement on the video.

The false YouTube video itself presents no strong evidence for the claim from its thumbnail. Instead, it only contains political commentary. While the person in the video played a news report announcing the complaint against Padilla, it made no mention of any arrest.

Obstruction of justice: The complaint against Padilla was filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for “facilitat[ing] the escape” of Senator Bato dela Rosa, who is currently at large, evading an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

The actor-turned-senator became a person of interest after Dela Rosa was seen leaving the Senate premises using Padilla’s vehicle. This allowed the former PNP chief to evade law enforcement officers stationed around the building.

Padilla defended the move, saying Dela Rosa was just hitching a ride. (READ MORE: From Senate to Makati: Padilla says Bato just asked for a ride)

Debunked: Rappler has debunked other false claims on the Senate drama:

• FACT CHECK: No SC order to reverse Cayetano ouster as Senate president 
• FACT CHECK: Lacson remains a senator, did not resign
• FACT CHECK: Senators Lito Lapid, Erwin Tulfo remain in the minority bloc

– Cyrene Sancon/Rappler.com

Cyrene Joy Sancon is a Rappler volunteer. She is currently a senior BA Multimedia Studies student at the University of the Philippines Open University.

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