Senate President Chiz Escudero assured that his leadership will not permit the arrest of any senator within the Senate premises, amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Escudero’s remark was in response to dela Rosa’s statement that he would seek help from the Senate if the ICC ordered his arrest.
Reports said that after the ICC arrest of Former President Rodrigo Duterte the next to be arrested is no other than the senator being the former PNP chief who implemented the controversial war on drugs
Escudero clarified that dela Rosa could remain in the Senate and while he is inside no one could arrest him, even during session breaks.
The Senate President emphasized that this policy is based on the principle of institutional courtesy, rather than any specific law.
“Historically, may sesyon o wala institutional courtesy dictates na wag itong pasukin ng mga kapulisan para may posasang senador. dalawang bagay ang nangyayari, i-exhaust ang legal remedy o kusang lumabas ang senador sa senado, ” Escudero said.
Several former and present senators, including Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Panfilo Lacson, Leila de Lima, and Antonio Trillanes III, have previously availed themselves of this policy.
The Senate leadership noted that this protection is temporary, aimed at giving dela Rosa sufficient time to explore legal remedies in case of an ICC arrest.
Though there is no confirmation if dela Rosa indeed has warrant of arrest in the ICC but Counsel to the Complainants Atty. Neri Colmenares said that the senator and former police chief Retired General Oscar Albayalde are among the identified co-perpetrators in the complaints.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.