Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he is ready to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it decides to issue an arrest warrant, but insisted that the international court has no jurisdiction in the Philippines.

“Ready tayo palagi...We are ready all the time. Whatever happens, I am ready," dela Rosa said in an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Balansyado on Wednesday, September 24.

Despite this, the senator clarified that he does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction in the Philippines. Moreover, Dela Rosa emphasized that the international court should follow the right procedure if it decides to issue an arrest warrant against him.

"[Dapat] idaan sa tamang proseso, idadaan nila sa ating local courts. At sigurado naman ako na ang Supreme Court ay aaksyunan ang ating petition patungkol dito. Then maybe, pwede nila akong madala,” he explained.

On FPRRD’s Interim Release

Meanwhile, he, along with senators Robin Padilla and Christopher “Bong” Go, aim to file a Senate resolution urging the government to advocate for the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague, the Netherlands. The resolution also asks that the elder Duterte be put on house arrest instead of a detention facility.

“Dahil nga alam natin na matanda na si Pangulong Duterte, may sakit at medyo may cognitive impairment na siya. At sa ngayon, sabi, butot balat na lang daw siya at hirap na makatayo,” Dela Rosa explained.

“Kaya minabuti namin na i-tackle na yung resolusyon namin para naman ma-aksyunan ng Senado kung sinong gustong sumuporta at bumoto para sa aming resolusyon ay amin pong wine-welcome,” he added.

When asked whether other senators are included in the signatory, Dela Rosa said that apart from the Majority Bloc, there were also senators from the Majority Bloc who expressed their support.

“I hope we can gather enough votes to pass this resolution,” he remarked.