MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla said the government has the right to investigate him for possible obstruction of justice over allegations that he helped Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa leave the Senate premises amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

In an ambush interview, Padilla said he would not oppose any investigation and deferred to authorities.

“Karapatan ng gobyerno ‘yan. Wala tayong mako-komento diyan. Kaso na daw ‘yan eh. Antayin natin,” Padilla said when asked to comment on the probe.

(That is the government’s prerogative. We have no comment on that. They say it is already a case. Let us wait.)

In May, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the Department of Justice was looking into Padilla’s possible liability after he was accused of assisting dela Rosa, although the senator maintained that the former Philippine National Police chief only asked to hitch a ride when he left the Senate building on May 14.

Opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas and rights groups earlier also filed an obstruction of justice complaint against Padilla and others before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the May 13 incident at the Senate.

Padilla said he has not yet received any subpoena or formal invitation from investigators but added that he is willing to cooperate with the process.

“Syempre susunod tayo sa batas. Ako naman ay proven na sumusunod sa batas,” he said.

(Of course, we will follow the law. As for me, I have proven that I follow the law.)

Dela Rosa is the subject of an arrest warrant for “alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator” in crimes against humanity of murder from July 3, 2016, until the end of April 2018, covering at least 32 deaths.

Authorities attempted to serve the warrant on May 11, which led to a chase inside the Senate building. He was later placed under protective custody by the upper chamber before leaving the Senate premises on May 14.