Philippines’ Bato dela Rosa absent from Senate as rumours of ICC arrest warrant swirl

Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, a senator from the Philippines, continues to draw headlines after missing multiple Senate sessions following a long holiday break.

The politician’s absence received increased attention after Ombudsman Crispon Remulla announced over the weekend that Dela Rosa was the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

However, neither the ICC nor the Department of Justice responded to Remulla’s statement.

Remulla nevertheless claims that he has an “unofficial copy” of the warrant and is busy awaiting its viewing by other government agencies, according to a report published by the Philippine News.

Lacson says Bato can’t hide forever

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Castelo Sotto III has stated that while an arrest cannot be made within the institution, the body does not have jurisdiction outside its walls.

Panfilo Lacson, President pro tempore, added that Dela Rosa cannot use the Senate as a sanctuary from possible arrest indefinitely.

“Limited, because the constitution is very clear. First, if the penalty is less than six years, there is an immunity from arrest when Congress is in session – that’s [one] of the limitations,” Lacson was quoted as saying by The Philippine Star.

“So, if the Congress is not in session, the immunity from arrest cannot be availed.” 

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Bato’s wife appeals for due process

Senator Imee Marcos revealed in an interview on Wednesday that she has had no contact with the senator but has been speaking with his wife, Nancy, who is calling for due process.

“She’s used to this, being a wife of a policeman. But despite that, she’s still very scared and nervous,” Marcos told GMA News Online.

“She is calling for help, that somehow there could be a due process, a justice, a Philippine sovereignty.”

Marcos, who is a stern ally of the Duterte family and Dela Rosa, previously promised to help her colleague receive a just process.

Bato was the chief of the Philippine National Police during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,000 Filipinos.

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