The leaders of the House of Representatives on Wednesday said that it’s only a matter of time before Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa faces the International Criminal Court (ICC) as one of the respondents in connection with the controversial bloody war on drugs.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of the Tingog Party-list responded to queries about the possibility of an arrest order against Dela Rosa. “Well, he’s part of the respondents of the case, and I think it’s just a matter of time,” he said in response.
La Union Representative Paolo Ortega V shared the same sentiment, adding that with developments in the ICC case, other warrants might follow.
“Nasabi nga ni Cong. Jude no, na ‘yung mga respondents ng case. Paano ko ba sasabihin ito? Ayon sa aking puting ahas, meron din akong puting ahas. Ayon sa aking puting ahas, hindi na spoiler ‘yan ‘yung warrant sa mga kasama sa kaso na ‘yan. Hindi na spoiler ‘yun, prediction na po ‘yun. Saka, nandyan na ‘yun, ayon sa aking puting ahas,” Ortega said.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list, meanwhile, emphasized the need to respect the process. “Well for me, let justice take its course. Let’s wait and see,” Bongalon said.
Dela Rosa, one of the key implementers of the war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has not been seen in public following Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, Netherlands.
Ortega questioned Dela Rosa’s sudden absence, pointing out that the senator had previously been outspoken about his willingness to face the ICC.
“Siguro ako, more on okay lang ba siya kasi kung two days siyang literally missing o walang statements, walang communication. Siguro mas importante kung masagot muna ‘yun kung nasaan siya,” Ortega said.
He suggested that Dela Rosa’s silence could mean he is preoccupied with something “more important,” but questioned what could take precedence over responding to the allegations against him.
“Eh, wala naman akong makitang bagay na mas importante na kailangan niyang mag-react o sumagot so I just want to know if he is okay,” Ortega added.
Acidre urged Dela Rosa to uphold the rule of law, emphasizing that as an elected official, he is bound by his oath to follow through and respect the legal proceedings.
“Alam mo, mga halal na opisyal, I use the standard for us to follow the law, is, the expectation is double than the usual,” Acidre said.
“I think Senator Bato, I would like to appeal to his sense of nationalism, of course, his sense of public duty to submit to the rule of law. Hindi option sa amin yan as elected officials. Sinumpaang tungkulin po namin ‘yan,” he added.
