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MANILA – Senator Robin Padilla reiterated on Thursday his stance that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa should be permitted to continue serving as a senator despite the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant of arrest issued against him. Padilla’s statement comes amidst ongoing debate regarding Dela Rosa’s eligibility to hold public office while facing potential international legal action.

Padilla, in a press briefing, emphasized the importance of allowing elected officials to fulfill their duties, even when facing legal challenges. He argued that preventing Dela Rosa from serving would undermine the democratic process and the will of the voters who elected him. He stated his belief that Dela Rosa, currently ranked as the third senator in terms of popularity, deserves the opportunity to represent his constituents.

The warrant of arrest from the ICC stems from Dela Rosa’s role as former chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.” The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity related to this campaign. Dela Rosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he will not cooperate with the ICC investigation, asserting that the court has no jurisdiction over him.

The legal implications of the ICC warrant on Dela Rosa's status as a senator remain complex and are subject to ongoing legal interpretation. The Philippine government has previously asserted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Philippine citizens, particularly when the country has its own functioning justice system. However, the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, a decision that has been met with criticism from human rights organizations.

Padilla’s public support for Dela Rosa highlights the divisions within the Philippine political landscape regarding international justice and accountability. The issue is likely to continue to be a subject of intense debate and legal scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.