Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday clarified that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa cannot indefinitely use the Senate as a refuge should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue an arrest warrant against him.
Lacson said the protection of lawmakers from arrest is constitutionally limited. “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,” he explained, as quoted by Inquirer.net.
While Lacson backed Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s earlier statement that law enforcement agencies should show courtesy by refraining from serving a warrant within Senate premises, he added that the protection could not last indefinitely. “He can’t stay in the Senate premises forever because something has to give way, and the Constitution, being the fundamental law of the land, will prevail,” he said.
The clarification came amid confusion over reports that the ICC had already issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, who served as the Philippine National Police chief during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign that claimed thousands of lives.
Justice officials told Inquirer.net that the Philippine government has yet to receive an official copy of any ICC warrant. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said he had seen an image of what appeared to be the document, though it had not yet gone through official channels.
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the Department of Justice would still comply with any ICC order once officially received, but noted that the implementation process—either through extradition or voluntary surrender—would determine the timeline.
Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan added that the government is studying its legal options under Republic Act No. 9851, which allows cooperation with international courts, while also weighing “the diplomatic implications” of any action.
Dela Rosa, who was absent from Tuesday’s Senate session, has yet to issue a statement. Lacson, a former PNP chief himself, said he had reached out to offer advice. “I hope we can talk just to give him some advice, not to hide but how to go about facing criminal charges,” he said.
The ICC recently introduced new confidentiality rules keeping all arrest warrant applications “under seal” until authorized for release by the chamber handling each case.
