SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday reiterated that no senator may be arrested within the Senate premises, citing institutional dignity and courtesy, following reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“I am not privy to the warrant being issued. But to preserve the dignity of the Senate and as a matter of institutional courtesy, we cannot allow any senator to be arrested within the Senate premises. Outside, that’s no longer our concern,” Sotto told reporters.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said he had “good authority” to confirm the ICC’s issuance of the warrant in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, which Dela Rosa helped implement as former Philippine National Police chief.
In a statement, Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, urged the public and media to await official confirmation from competent authorities or the ICC itself, warning against the spread of unverified reports.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano called on institutions to uphold fairness and the rule of law, emphasizing that extradition and other judicial actions must follow due process.
“No one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection,” Cayetano said, urging the Senate to defend justice and equality before the law.
Dela Rosa was recently in Cebu to lead relief operations for victims of Typhoon Tino.
His former superior, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, has been detained at the ICC in The Hague since March 13 for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug campaign.
