By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Friday (02 August 2024) that they do not have control over the government’s decision on the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe.
This was following the statement of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla that the Philippines cannot stop Interpol from serving warrants of arrest against former president Rodrigo Duterte and other former officials involved in the war on drugs.
“Nasa kanila ‘yan how they deal with it. Wala kaming control dyan…kung ano talaga ang gusto nila. Kung laban-bawi man sila, kung ‘yan ang policy nila, laban-bawi then so be it,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.
If this were the case, Dela Rosa said that he “feels betrayed” as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. previously said that the Philippines would not cooperate with ICC’s probe.
“I feel betrayed kapag ganoon ang nagiging polisiya ng gobyerno. I feel betrayed as a Filipino, being betrayed by my government, kapag ganoon ang polisiya nila,” the senator said.
However, Dela Rosa said that he only believes what Marcos has previously said.
Meanwhile, the former Philippine National Police chief said that he does not plan to discuss this matter with Malacañang or the Department of Justice.
“Wala akong balak. Bahala sila kung ano talaga ang kanilang gustong gawin. We exercise separation of powers, mayroon silang kapangyarihan bilang nasa ehekutibo, at iba rin ‘yung aming papel sa legislature,” the lawmaker from Davao said.
(ia/mnm)
