The Senate minority bloc has urged the Marcos administration to pursue dialogue with Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s legal team, saying the senator should be given an opportunity to answer the accusations against him before Philippine courts.
In a statement published on Oct. 25, the bloc expressed support for Dela Rosa’s right to due process and offered to help facilitate a lawful and peaceful resolution of his situation.
“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 said it understood the administration’s responsibility to uphold law and order and acknowledged the roles of Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in resolving the matter.
However, the senators appealed for restraint from government officials, police, Dela Rosa’s family and lawyers, his supporters and others who could influence developments on the ground.
The bloc also welcomed Remulla’s stated preference for negotiations over an operation that could result in Filipino casualties.
“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” the minority said.
It urged the government to consider Dela Rosa’s stated willingness to face the accusations in Philippine courts as a starting point for dialogue.
“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 senators also raised concerns about Philippine sovereignty and the country’s relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
They noted that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, took effect in 2019. They also pointed out that the United States, China, Russia and India are not parties to the treaty.
The bloc recalled President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s previous rejection of cooperation with the ICC investigation on sovereignty grounds and the administration’s distinction between cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization (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 underscore its call for careful legal review, the senators cited a hypothetical scenario involving a foreign head of state with an ICC arrest warrant, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, visiting the Philippines.
They said authorities would be expected to examine domestic laws, international obligations and applicable procedures before deciding whether to arrest or surrender the visiting official.
“Although the legal circumstances differ, Senator Dela Rosa, a Filipino citizen in his own country, deserves no less care in protecting his rights,” the statement read.
The minority said it remained willing to facilitate discussions between the administration and Dela Rosa’s counsel, expressing confidence that Philippine institutions could uphold the law, protect individual rights and pursue justice without unnecessary loss of life.
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