Padilla mulls filing bill to penalize cops who mishandle evidence

Sen. Robinhood Padilla (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla mulls filing a bill seeking to impose criminal charges on any law enforcer who violates the proper handling and preservation of evidence in an investigation.

Padilla aired his plan in his privilege speech during the plenary session on Wednesday. In his speech, the actor-turned-lawmaker lamented the death of veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez.

Apart from overwhelming sadness, Padilla said he couldn’t help but feel disappointed over the supposed lapses of some police officers in handling the investigation of the Valdez case.

“In the middle of the grief of the family, friends, and loved ones over his unexpected passing, everyone’s feelings became even heavier with the spreading of a video on social media that was taken when Tito Ronaldo’s body was found inside his room in his house in Quezon City,” Padilla said in Filipino.

“I emphasize the rudeness, lack of conscience, and disrespect of the law enforcement officers who are behind the dissemination of the said video,” he added.

The Quezon City Police District said officers in the case were facing administrative charges, including neglect of duty and grave misconduct.

This, however, did not sit well with Padilla.

“We want to clarify if, apart from administrative cases, do we have a law that will directly respond to such violations by our law enforcement officers?” he said.

Padilla said he is mulling to file a bill pushing for heavier punishment on erring law enforcers.

“I plan to file a bill that would push for giving heavier punishment or criminal charges to anyone who violates the proper handling and preservation of evidence in an investigation,” he said.

Valdez died on the afternoon of Dec. 17, 2023, at the age of  76 years.