Malacañang on Monday said Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go could face the same legal process that former president Rodrigo R. Duterte is currently undergoing before the International Criminal Court (ICC), should arrest warrants be issued against them.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration would follow existing laws and procedures if warrants are received, emphasizing that the government will not interfere with a case that began years before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office.
“Kung ito naman ay legal process na nanggagaling po sa ICC, hindi naman po natin ito maaaring pakialaman dahil ang kasong iyan ay naisampa noon pa, 2017, at hindi pa po pangulo si Pangulong Marcos Jr. (If this is a legal process coming from the ICC, we cannot interfere because that case was filed as early as 2017, when President Marcos Jr. was not yet president),” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has identified eight incumbent and former officials, including dela Rosa and Go, as alleged co-perpetrators in killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Duterte has been detained at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands since March 11, 2025, facing crimes against humanity charges related to his anti-drug campaign during his time as Davao City mayor and later as president.
He is set to attend a confirmation hearing on Feb. 23 after being declared fit to stand trial.
Castro reiterated that the administration is committed to due process in handling such developments.
“Kung dadaan sa proseso, iyon naman po ang nais ng pamahalaang ito. Ang ginagawa ng pamahalaang ito ay dumadaan lahat sa proseso (If it goes through the process, that is what this government wants. Everything this government does goes through due process),” she said.
On the possibility of implementing arrest warrants through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), Castro said a similar process had been followed previously.
“’Yun po ang nangyari before at ‘yan din po ang mangyayari ngayon (It has happened before, and that is what is likely to happen now),” she said.
This aligns with Malacañang’s earlier position that Duterte’s arrest was carried out based on the Philippines’ commitment to Interpol rather than a direct ICC action.
However, Castro also pointed out that while the government maintains the ICC has no current jurisdiction over the Philippines, alleged offenses committed when the country was still a member of the tribunal may be treated differently.
She clarified that the Palace is not monitoring the individuals named in the ICC proceedings, noting that no arrest warrants have been received so far.
“Kapag ka may warrant of arrest na na-issue na po, kailangan i-implement… sa ngayon, wala pa pong dahilan para sila i-bantayan (Once a warrant of arrest has been issued, it must be implemented… at present, there is no reason to monitor them),” she said.
Castro also rejected claims that the ICC case was being used to distract from other national issues, stressing that the complaint predates the Marcos administration.
She urged supporters of Duterte and his allies to remain calm and allow the legal process to proceed, saying justice should apply both to alleged victims and to those accused.
The Palace official further warned against the idea of evading authorities if warrants are issued.
“Una-una, kung kayo magtatago, ano bang ibig sabihin niyan? (First of all, if you hide, what does that mean?)” Castro said.
“Kayo ba ‘yung may kasalanan? … Hindi po kinakailangang magtago kung alam po nila na sila’y walang kasalanan, humarap sila at maging matapang sa mga maaaring proseso (Does that mean you’re guilty? There is no need to hide if you know you are innocent — face the process and be brave).”
Dela Rosa, who previously served as Duterte’s police chief, has not been seen publicly for months, while Go has remained active despite repeatedly rejecting accusations in the past.
