Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday clarified that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa cannot indefinitely use Senate premises as protection if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant, noting that any immunity is “limited” under the Constitution.
“Limited. Kasi ‘yung Constitution is very clear on the matter. First, kung less than six years ‘yung penalty, may immunity from arrest when Congress is in session. ‘Yun ‘yung mga limitations (Limited. Because the Constitution is very clear on the matter. First, if the penalty is less than six years, there is immunity from arrest when Congress is in session. That’s the limitation),” Lacson said.
He added that Senate President Vicente Sotto III has urged law enforcement agencies to exercise courtesy by refraining from serving an arrest warrant within Senate grounds.
“Well, if it comes to that, we’ll have to tackle it and probably kanya pa ring call ‘yun. But he can’t stay in the Senate premises forever kasi something has to give way din and ‘yung Constitution, being the fundamental law of the land, will prevail (Well, if it comes to that, we’ll have to tackle it and it will probably still be his call. But he can’t stay in the Senate forever because something has to give way, and the Constitution will prevail),” Lacson said.
He clarified that no ICC arrest warrant has been confirmed as of Tuesday and said he attempted to contact Dela Rosa to offer advice.
“I hope we can talk so I can give him some advice, not para magtago kundi how to go about facing criminal charges… within the bounds of the law and rules of the International Criminal Court (I hope we can talk so I can give him some advice, not to hide but on how to face criminal charges within the bounds of the law and ICC rules),” Lacson said.
The Department of Justice earlier said the Philippines would comply if the ICC issues a warrant, exploring options such as extradition or surrender. Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, remains under ICC investigation for his role in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.