Sen. Risa Hontiveros said no arrests can take place inside the Senate while it is in session, as the chamber faces a difficult situation involving two of its members linked to an International Criminal Court case.
Hontiveros acknowledged the process ahead would be difficult and painful for the Senate as an institution following the inclusion of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go as alleged co-perpetrators in the ICC case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an ambush interview at the Senate, Hontiveros said the chamber must face the issue despite the challenges it presents.
She said the case appears to be at the indictment stage and noted that no formal document has been received that would trigger any legal process involving the senators.
Hontiveros emphasized that the position earlier expressed by Senate President Tito Sotto remains in effect: as long as the Senate is in session, no arrests can be carried out inside the chamber.
The statement comes amid ongoing discussions on how the Senate will respond to developments related to the ICC case.
Earlier, Go denied having any connection to the case involving Duterte.
