Vice President Sara Duterte expressed concern over the tense situation at the Senate following reports of efforts to take Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa into custody in connection with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking from The Hague, Netherlands, Duterte described the developments as disrespectful to the Senate as an institution and raised alarm over reports of “putukan” or gunfire inside the Senate premises.
“Sinasabi ko naman ’no, pag tinatanong ako sa ICC warrant, sabi ko nga hindi pwede yan dahil ang mga foreign courts at foreign tribunals, wala silang jurisdiction sa loob ng Pilipinas,” Duterte said.
“Kaya wala din bisa lahat ng mga issuances ng foreign courts at foreign tribunals sa Pilipinas,” she added.
The Vice President argued that any foreign-issued warrant must first pass through Philippine courts before it can be enforced locally, warning that bypassing constitutional protections would violate the rights of the accused.
“Dahil kapag sinasabi mo na pwede yan sa isang republic act, masasagasaan niya yung rights ng isang accused na nasa Bill of Rights natin na protektado ng Constitution natin,” she said.
Duterte also compared the moves against dela Rosa to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which she previously described as an “extraordinary rendition.”
She criticized the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., accusing it of using government resources against political opponents instead of focusing on economic recovery and reforms.
“So what we are seeing now is… the administration using all government resources to demolish political opposition or those individuals who do not follow or agree or support BBM,” Duterte said.
The Vice President claimed the political tensions in the country were being fueled by the current leadership.
“Totoo yun, magulo ang ating bayan na hindi naman sana, nagkakagulo lang tayo dahil kay BBM,” she said.
Duterte also warned that the moves against the Dutertes and Senator dela Rosa could eventually lead to efforts to push Charter Change, which she alleged may be used to extend Marcos Jr.’s stay in power.
“Pag pinag-usapan natin ang charter change, ibig sabihin yan, hindi na yan bababa sa pwesto si BBM,” she said.
The Vice President added that she is trying to reach Senator dela Rosa to personally offer support following the disturbance at the Senate.
