Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero confirmed that the Senate leadership will not stop Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa from seeking sanctuary in the Senate if he decides to do so, in the event the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant against him.
Dela Rosa earlier stated that he had spoken with Senate President Escudero, requesting protection with regard to the potential arrest warrant from the ICC.
Moreover, Escudero mentioned that Senator Bato's request is to stay in the Senate until all his legal remedies are exhausted, akin to his action with former President Duterte when they sought relief from the Supreme Court, although no TRO was issued.
In a report by RH Raymund Dadpaas, it was highlighted that, throughout the Senate’s history, no senator has been arrested inside the Senate building as part of a courtesy.
Escudero listed the previous cases of former Senators Antonio Trillanes, Leila De Lima, Juan Ponce Enrile, Ping Lacson, and Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada as examples.
“Hindi para sa akin na pigilan si Sen. Bato na magtungo dito, desisyon niya ‘yon. Pero ang hangganan siguro non ay hanggang makakuha at klaro na kung ano ang magiging pasya ng Korte kaugnay sa kanyang pag-avail ng kanyang judicial remedies na karapatan niya, hindi lamang bilang isang Senador, bilang isang ordinaryong mamamayan,” Escudero said in a press conference on Monday.
He emphasized that the Constitution clearly protects senators from arrest for minor cases and ensures that they cannot be arrested within the Senate while a session is ongoing.
Escudero further explained that there is a significant difference between the situations of the cases in the Philippines and those under the ICC.
On the other hand, the ICC could impose a sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the Palace reiterated that the government would follow the same procedure if the ICC were to issue another arrest warrant, such as for Dela Rosa, emphasizing that the implementation of warrants cannot be selective.
In a separate press briefing on Friday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro stated that the government would cooperate if the ICC arrest warrant is processed through Interpol.
A known close ally of Duterte, Dela Rosa served as the country's top cop during the previous administration, overseeing the execution of the controversial anti-illegal drug campaign, which led to thousands of reported deaths.
On March 11, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by authorities under an arrest warrant issued by the ICC and was later transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands.
He is facing charges of crimes against humanity, which are alleged to have occurred in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
