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In a stunning declaration that shook the halls of power and reignited the national debate over the Philippines' controversial war on drugs, Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday vowed to stand beside his political ally, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, should the latter be arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the bloody anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.
Padilla, an outspoken supporter of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and a former detainee himself, made the explosive statement during an ambush interview with reporters.
"Kung huhulihin nila si Bato, isama niyo na ako," the senator boldly declared. "Dahil isa ako sa sumuporta kay Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte diyan sa drug war."
With the casual defiance of someone intimately familiar with prison life, Padilla doubled down: “Walang iwanan nga eh. Sasamahan ko sila kung saan sila. Tutal sanay naman tayo sa kulungan. Sa abroad pa, naku masarap pagkain doon. Okay 'yon."
His statements, while laced with trademark bravado and humor, reflect a deeper and more serious undercurrent: unwavering loyalty to a man many still revere—and others condemn—for launching one of the deadliest anti-drug campaigns in modern history.
A Show of Loyalty or a Dangerous Precedent?
Padilla’s comments arrive amid renewed calls from international human rights groups urging the ICC to proceed with its investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during Duterte's term. The ICC has long been scrutinizing the former president and his top allies, including then-PNP Chief Bato Dela Rosa, for their roles in a campaign that reportedly left thousands dead, many without due process.
The senator’s assertion of shared guilt and willingness to serve time abroad can be seen in two lights: a dramatic act of loyalty—or a troubling normalization of a system that bypassed accountability in favor of brute force.
“Sanay tayo sa kulungan,” Padilla said with an air of nonchalance, alluding to his past conviction. But his words highlight a bizarre inversion of justice—where some public officials wear incarceration as a badge of honor rather than a mark of disgrace.
Echoes of the Past, Warnings for the Future
Senator Bato dela Rosa has consistently defended the drug war as a necessary evil, claiming it saved countless lives by curbing rampant drug use. However, critics point to harrowing testimonies, unresolved killings, and grieving families left behind by what they deem as state-sanctioned violence.
Padilla, one of the more colorful and media-savvy members of the Senate, is now taking that defense to a whole new level—threatening to make the jail cell a symbol of solidarity rather than justice.
“Walang iwanan” may be a noble concept in friendship, but in the realm of governance, it begs the question: at what cost?
The Nation Reacts
Netizens were quick to react to Padilla’s declaration. Supporters praised his loyalty and guts, calling it a true mark of friendship and conviction. Detractors, however, blasted the senator for trivializing serious crimes and mocking the judicial process.
“Masarap ang pagkain sa abroad,” he quipped, raising eyebrows over what many felt was a flippant remark about incarceration in an international tribunal that tries crimes against humanity.
But in true Robin Padilla fashion, the drama is never without spectacle—and never short of soundbites.
A Defining Moment
As the ICC inches closer to deciding the fate of those involved in Duterte’s war on drugs, the political theater in the Philippines continues to intensify. And with senators like Robin Padilla ready to walk into prison in defense of their former commander-in-chief, the nation is once again forced to confront a painful question: was the war on drugs a battle for order, or a descent into lawlessness?
Only time—and perhaps international justice—will tell.
This article was written by Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, in pursuit of thought-provoking journalism that holds power to account while capturing the pulse of the Filipino people.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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