Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano declared that Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa can only be surrendered to authorities based on a warrant issued by a Philippine court.
This statement comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed an arrest order for Dela Rosa. A group including former senator Antonio Trillanes IV attempted to deliver the warrant at the Senate on Monday.
Experts on international law assert that the Senate lacks the authority to shield a fugitive, and Dela Rosa does not have parliamentary immunity under the Constitution.
Cayetano's Stance on Legal Procedures
There’s no problem with serving the warrants. We are lawmakers, we are not lawbreakers. So they can bring the warrants and we’ll receive them. What we’re saying is, the warrant of arrest should be from a Philippine court.
Alan Peter Cayetano
Dela Rosa, who avoided the NBI arrest team on Monday, stated he would remain in the Senate to seek legal remedies. Cayetano emphasized the importance of following legal procedures, stating that past senators seeking refuge adhered to the law before surrendering.
He urged Dela Rosa to act logically and reasonably, highlighting that the nation's laws must prevail.
ICC's Position on Dela Rosa
The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber indicated it found sufficient grounds to believe that Dela Rosa played a significant role in the alleged extrajudicial killings during the drug war as the former chief of the Philippine National Police.
The arrest warrant, initially dated November 6, 2025, was made public on Monday. The ICC described the warrant as a crucial step in holding individuals accountable for alleged crimes during the controversial anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa's Response
Dela Rosa expressed his intention to exhaust all legal options before complying with any arrest. He stated, "Which Filipino would want to be tried abroad?" reaffirming his commitment to remain in the country.
While Dela Rosa seeks guidance from the Supreme Court regarding the ICC warrant, he plans to attend Senate sessions. He indicated he would appeal any lower court's arrest warrant to the Supreme Court.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal experts argue that the Senate cannot obstruct the execution of an arrest warrant just because it desires to protect one of its members. They emphasized the Senate must respect the law and the executive branch's prerogatives.
Human rights lawyer Dino de Leon clarified that the Senate is bound by law and that Dela Rosa's alleged crimes fall outside the constitutional protections afforded to lawmakers.
Dela Rosa, facing accusations punishable by over 14 years, does not qualify for parliamentary immunity, as reiterated by fellow lawyer Neri Colmenares. He urged the Senate to follow due process in light of the ongoing situation.
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