The Senate Minority expressed support for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and called on the government to pursue dialogue with his counsel toward a peaceful resolution of his situation, citing his stated willingness to answer accusations before Philippine courts.
The bloc said it understood the administration’s desire to resolve the matter in the interest of law and order and offered its cooperation.
“The Senate Minority stands with Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa in defending his right to due process and supporting his call to answer the accusations against him before Philippine courts,” the statement read. “We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible.”
The minority acknowledged the responsibilities of the Interior Secretary and the Philippine National Police chief, saying it shared their desire to bring the matter to a lawful conclusion.
It appealed for restraint from government officials, law enforcement personnel, Dela Rosa’s family and counsel, his supporters, and anyone who could influence events on the ground. The bloc welcomed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s expressed preference for negotiations over an operation that could cost Filipino lives.
“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” the minority said.
The senators urged the government to consider Dela Rosa’s willingness to face accusations in local courts as a basis for dialogue. They also recalled his call for peaceful support.
“The Minority is ready to help work out a lawful process through which the allegations can be heard and answered, with fairness to those seeking justice and a full opportunity for him to defend himself,” the statement said.
The bloc noted that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute took effect in 2019 and that several major countries, including the United States, China, Russia and India, remain outside the treaty.
It recalled President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier rejection of cooperation with the International Criminal Court investigation on sovereignty grounds, as well as the administration’s distinction between cooperation with Interpol and cooperation with the ICC.
“We respectfully ask that the protection of Philippine sovereignty and the rights of our citizens remain central to the government’s decisions,” the minority said.
To illustrate its appeal for careful legal review, the bloc raised a hypothetical official visit by a foreign head of state subject to an ICC warrant, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. It said Philippine authorities would be expected to examine domestic law, international obligations and the required procedures before any arrest or surrender.
“Although the legal circumstances differ, Senator Dela Rosa, a Filipino citizen in his own country, deserves no less care in protecting his rights,” it said.
The minority offered to help facilitate discussions between the administration and Dela Rosa’s counsel, expressing confidence that Philippine institutions could uphold the law, protect his rights and pursue justice without needless loss of life.
Nanawagan ang Senate Minority sa administrasyon nitong Sabado na makipag-usap sa kampo ni Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa upang mapayapang maresolba ang kanyang sitwasyon, kasabay ng pagpahayag ng suporta sa karapatan ng senador na humarap sa mga paratang laban sa kanya sa mga korte ng Pilipinas.
Ayon sa Minorya, nauunawaan nila ang hangarin ng administrasyon na maresolba ang usapin alinsunod sa batas at mapanatili ang kaayusan. Nag-alok din sila ng pakikipagtulungan upang makahanap ng legal at mapayapang solusyon.
“The Senate Minority stands with Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa in defending his right to due process and supporting his call to answer the accusations against him before Philippine courts,” ayon sa kanilang statement.
“We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible,” dagdag ng grupo.
Kinilala rin ng grupo ang mga responsibilidad ng kalihim ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at ng hepe ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagresolba ng usapin.
Gayunman, nanawagan sila ng pagpipigil at pag-iingat mula sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, mga alagad ng batas, pamilya at abogado ni Dela Rosa, kanyang mga taga suporta, at iba pang maaaring makaapekto sa sitwasyon.
Malugod din nilang tinanggap ang pahayag ni Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla na mas nais nito ang negosasyon kaysa sa isang operasyon na maaaring magdulot ng pagkasawi ng mga Pilipino.
“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” pahayag ng Minorya.
Iginiit ng mga senador na dapat ikonsidera ng pamahalaan ang kahandaan ni Dela Rosa na humarap sa mga paratang sa mga korte ng Pilipinas bilang batayan upang simulan ang diyalogo. Binanggit din nila ang panawagan ng senador para sa mapayapang pagpapahayag ng suporta.
“The Minority is ready to help work out a lawful process through which the allegations can be heard and answered, with fairness to those seeking justice and a full opportunity for him to defend himself,” ayon sa pahayag.
Binigyang diin din ng grupo na nagkabisa noong 2019 ang pag-alis ng Pilipinas sa Rome Statute, ang kasunduang nagtatag sa International Criminal Court (ICC). Binanggit din nila na nananatiling hindi kasapi ng kasunduan ang ilang malalaking bansa, kabilang ang United States, China, Russia at India.
Ipinunto rin nila ang naunang pagtanggi ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na makipagtulungan sa imbestigasyon ng ICC dahil sa usapin ng soberanya. Binanggit din ng grupo ang pagkakaiba ng pakikipagtulungan ng administrasyon sa International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) at sa ICC.
“We respectfully ask that the protection of Philippine sovereignty and the rights of our citizens remain central to the government’s decisions,” ayon sa minority bloc.
Bilang halimbawa, inilahad ng mga senador ang isang hypothetical na sitwasyon kung saan bibisita sa Pilipinas ang isang dayuhang pinuno ng estado na may warrant of arrest mula sa ICC, gaya ni Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ayon sa kanila, natural na suriin muna ng mga awtoridad ang mga batas ng Pilipinas, mga international obligation, at mga kinakailangang proseso bago magsagawa ng pag-aresto o pagsuko sa naturang opisyal.
“Although the legal circumstances differ, Senator Dela Rosa, a Filipino citizen in his own country, deserves no less care in protecting his rights,” ayon sa pahayag.
Sinabi rin sa pahayag ng Minorya na handa silang tumulong sa usapan ng administrasyon at abogado ni Dela Rosa. Naniniwala ang grupo na kayang panindigan ng mga institusyon ng Pilipinas ang batas, pangalagaan ang mga karapatan ng senador, at itaguyod ang hustisya nang hindi nagdudulot ng hindi kinakailangang pagkamatay sinumang Pilipino.
