By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa may avoid arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) if he remains in the Senate, should an arrest warrant be issued against him.
Senate President Chiz Escudero made this statement on Monday, March 17, 2025, following Dela Rosa’s claim that he will seek the Senate’s protection if an arrest warrant is served against him.
“This involves various situations the Senate has faced, where members had cases against them, and the Senate’s decision was based not on the law, but on what we call institutional courtesy. The Senate will not allow any of its members to be arrested within its premises, especially during sessions,” Escudero said in a press conference.
Escudero cited the cases of former senators who were allowed to remain in the Senate until all legal remedies were exhausted.
The Senate President also noted that while this practice is not specified in law, it has become a tradition and part of the Senate’s long-standing rules.
He added that even Interpol, which arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte, would not be allowed to arrest Dela Rosa inside the Senate, even with an arrest warrant.
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