By Liza Soriano
MANILA —Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Roque to establish a loan program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with no interest rate.
Dela Rosa said that it would help Filipinos in boosting their livelihoods instead of giving them financial assistance.
“Siguro kung ako ang maging secretary ng DTI, tutukan ko ‘yon. Maghanap ako ng programa na makatulong yung gano’ng paninda araw-araw kasi you can just imagine 5-6, uutang ka ng P5, at the end of the day bayaran mo ng P6,” the senator said during the confirmation hearing of Roque.
“Baka kayo, gagawa ka ng programa na ‘yan, pondohan natin dito sa Kongreso na makabigay ka kahit 5-5, walang interes, tapos mag-deploy ka ng mga nakamotor na mga tauhan mo, iikot doon sa mga palengke, magpapautang…para sa maliliit na negosyante, napakalaking bagay ‘yan kung walang interes,” he suggested.
Further, Dela Rosa said that such kind of government program would lessen the culture of mendicancy among Filipinos.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Key leaders of the House Quad Committee have asserted that evidence contradicts the denials of Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Bong Go regarding a cash reward system linked to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration.
This was the contention of Representatives Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, and Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila, who led the four-committee panel, known as the Quad Comm.
The committee is currently investigating issues involving EJKs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and illegal drugs.
“Ang ebidensiyang nahukay sa Quad Comm ay sumasalungat sa pagtanggi nina Senador Bato at Bong Go ukol sa pagkakasangkot sa EJK o sa pagkakaroon ng reward system na alam ng publiko noong nakaraang administrasyon, lalo na sa Philippine National Police (PNP),” said Fernandez, Chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
Fernandez noted that at least two witnesses—retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, and Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido—testified that a payout system for hitmen targeting drug suspects existed.
“Hindi lang ito umiiral; pinamamahalaan pa ito ng mga nasa itaas, ibig sabihin, ng Malacañang (Duterte administration),” he added.
Barbers, lead chair of the Quad Comm and head of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, highlighted Espenido’s testimony that millions, possibly billions, in rewards “flowed from the level of Sen. Bong Go, a close aide of former President Rodrigo Duterte.”
Quoting Espenido, Barbers said the reward system was funded through money from jueteng and other illegal gambling activities, intelligence funds, PCSO’s controversial small-town lottery (STL), and POGOs.
“Our impression is that intelligence funds came from both the Office of the President and the PNP. Once these funds are audited, we’ll know who is telling the truth: Sen. Bato and Sen. Bong Go, or Garma and Espenido,” Barbers said, adding that he leans toward believing the two witnesses over the senators’ denials.
Regarding funds from POGO, jueteng, and STL operators, Abante, co-chair of the committee and head of the House Committee on Human Rights, emphasized that evidence suggests “these funds indeed flowed from the top.”
Abante also pointed out that testimony established that in 2016, Dela Rosa and Go were seen in a meeting with President Duterte, senior police officers including Garma, and now-National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo. The meeting reportedly took place at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office in Davao City.
According to Abante, witnesses claimed the “Davao City EJK template and reward system” was discussed during that meeting. A few weeks later, killings of drug suspects by police and riding-in-tandem gunmen began. “Hindi mahirap i-konekta ang mga pangyayari,” Abante remarked.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa dismissed Kerwin Espinosa’s claims, emphasizing that Espinosa cannot be considered a credible witness.
Dela Rosa made the statement after Espinosa accused the senator of threatening him to link former Senator Leila De Lima and businessman Peter Lim to the illegal drug trade during a hearing in the House of Representatives.
“Ang masasabi ko lang kay Kerwin Espinosa, sinungaling siya. Kung makapag-istorya siya ng gano’n, makapagsalita siya, akala mo kung sino siyang malinis. Bakit siya maggawa-gawa ng istorya? Samantalang noon ang bait-bait niya nu’ng nasa kustodiya namin,” Dela Rosa said.
“Why do I need to force him to implicate De Lima when PNP (Philippine National Police) was not a party in the case build-up and the filing of drug cases against De Lima? It was entirely done by the DOJ (Department of Justice). Anong pakialam ko kay De Lima?” he added.
The lawmaker also explained that he has no knowledge of the alleged drug business of Lim and retired police general Vicente Loot, who is his fellow Philippine Military Academy graduate.
“I had no idea about Peter Lim and General Loot’s drug business. It was Kerwin Espinosa who volunteered that [information] to me when I asked him where did he get his supply of drugs. He answered me that sometimes he gets it from Peter Lim and sometimes from General Loot. I had no motive to implicate them, lalo na si General Loot who is a PMAyer,” he said.
Dela Rosa previously slammed the House of Representatives’ ongoing investigation into the killings related to the campaign against illegal drugs of the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa firmly stated that he is not “hiding behind someone’s skirt,” emphasizing that words alone cannot harm him.
Dela Rosa made this remark in response to Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop, who accused him of “hiding behind Vice President Sara Duterte’s skirt” amid the ongoing House of Representatives investigation into the anti-illegal drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“All I can say, sir, is: I am alright! I did not hide behind my mother’s skirt when I fought terrorists and insurgents with bullets flying around me, so why would I hide behind someone’s skirt now, knowing that your words cannot kill me?” Dela Rosa said in a statement.
He emphasized that such behavior is not expected of a Philippine Military Academy alumnus.
“You and I were both raised by the same Academy. You and I both served in the same branch of service,” Dela Rosa told Acop.
Dela Rosa has repeatedly clarified that his absence from the House probe is due to inter-parliamentary courtesy, not fear of any questions or allegations that may arise.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Two members of the House of Representatives’ so-called “Young Guns” on Saturday (21 Sept 2024) criticized Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for accusing the lower chamber of playing politics, urging him to “face the music” and explain his alleged involvement as national police chief during the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war, which left thousands of Filipinos dead.
Instead of pointing fingers at the House leadership, House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre and House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon both called on Dela Rosa to come forward and address his role in the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the Duterte “war on drugs.”
“Sana harapin na lang ni Sen. Bato ang asunto niya sa ICC para makaharap niya rin at madinig ang malulungkot na kwento ng mga naulila ng mga napatay noong drug war. He keeps distancing himself from the thousands of deaths during the war on drugs, but he was the PNP Chief at the time,” Acidre said.
The Tingog party-list lawmaker noted that Dela Rosa has repeatedly denied responsibility for the violence that marked the drug campaign.
“He cannot deny that he played a central role in the bloody drug war’s implementation,” Acidre added.
Bongalon of the Ako Bicol party-list also questioned Dela Rosa’s continued evasion of accountability, despite his leadership as PNP Chief during the most violent phase of the anti-drug operations.
“Sen. Bato cannot just brush aside the ICC investigation. He led the police force when the most egregious human rights abuses were committed. He must explain what happened,” Bongalon stressed.
The ICC has been investigating the Duterte administration’s drug war, with international prosecutors focusing on allegations of state-sanctioned killings.
Both Acidre and Bongalon believe it is time for Dela Rosa to face the charges.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa admitted on Thursday (29 August 2024) that he instructed Pol. Col Jovie Espenido to tackle drug issues in Albuera, Leyte.
“‘Yun ang instruction ko sa kanya. Dapat buwagin niya ‘yung mga sindikato diyan, pero hindi ko sinabi na patayin,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.
“Alangan naman magbibigay ako ng illegal na instruction sa pulis. Hindi ko siya papasunod ng ganon,” he added.
During a House investigation into the drug war, Espenido revealed that Dela Rosa had told him that the then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief wanted drug syndicates to be eliminated.
“Your Honor, Mr. Chair, isang general na salita lang ang ibinigay sa amin, lahat alam na namin ang ibig sabihin. ‘Pag sinabi na mawala, kasali na diyan ang mamatay, very obvious sa amin,” Espenido told the House panel.
Espenido had previously admitted to the existence of a quota and reward system, stating that rewards were given to police officers for killing drug suspects.
“I confirm that there was a quota and reward system in the implementation of the war on drugs during the previous administration. I truly wanted to implement it without causing deaths.”
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Testifying before the House Quad Committee conducting an investigation in aid of legislation on the “bloody drug war” during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Police Colonel Jovie Espenido on Wednesday (28 August 2024) divulged that former police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa ordered him to kill suspected drug personalities, including Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Parojinog and his family.
This was revealed by Espenido on the third hearing of the House Quad Committee, which was formed to check the correlation between illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs, the illegal drug trade, and the extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the course of the campaign against illegal drugs during the Duterte administration.
“Ang instruction lang na tulungan mo ako, Jovie, at saka si President Duterte, about this war against illegal drugs. So, dapat, galingan mo ha, ikaw ang i-assign ko as chief of police ng Albuera, so dapat mawala na yung mga drugs sa Albuera. “’Yun yung natandaan ko,” Espenido told the House panel.
Espenido also claimed that Dela Rosa insinuated that he “neutralize” drug personalities in Albuera, Leyte where the mayor, Rolando Espinosa, also died during a police operation.
“Ang police, isa lang ang word, general word na ibigay. Lahat [ng police], alam na namin ang isang meaning din. Pagsabi na mawala, kasali na ‘yung mamatay,” Espenido added.
In his affidavit submitted before the House Quad Committee, Espenido quoted PNP Chief dela Rosa saying that the “local drug kingpin was also tough so it required a tough officer like me to dismantle the Parojinog drug operations by all means necessary.”
“In police language, it included neutralization or elimination of the target. Moments after my phone conversation with Chief Bato, he issued a formal order to cause my transfer to Ozamiz. It was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who announced in August 2016 that Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Parojinog was included in his list of public officials involved in illegal drugs, in national television during one of his press briefings in Malacañang,” Espenido narrated in his affidavit.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Wednesday (28 August 2024) questioned the number of police officers who were deployed to issue the warrant of arrest to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Dela Rosa said that he supports the PNP’s desire to fulfill their duty to serve the arrest warrant but the deployment of 2,000 policemen from different regions in Mindanao and their encampment inside and outside the KOJC compound seems questionable.
“As a former Chief of the Philippine National Police, I have not encountered an operation to implement a warrant of arrest wherein we deployed forces close to 2,000 people,” Dela Rosa said.
He stressed that only 44 Special Action Forces with more than 200 backup police officers have been involved in the implementation of the warrant of arrest against one of the most wanted terrorists in the United States, Zulkifi Abd Hir also known as “Marwan,” who has a five million US dollar bounty.
“Kaya ang tanong ng mga miyembro ng KOJC, mas mapanganib ba si Pastor Quiboloy kaysa sa isang most wanted terrorist? Mas mapanganib ba ang Davao City compared doon sa Mamasapano na napakaraming umiikot na mga armadong tao?” Dela Rosa asked.
The lawmaker also took a swipe at the leadership of the PNP Regional Office XI for putting the police officers involved in the operations at risk.
“Tila isinusubo niyo sa kapahamakan ang ating mga pulis. Inaakay ninyo sila sa bangin na maaaring magdulot ng kamatayan sa kanilang mga promising careers,” he said.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stung by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s remark that House members were “unprincipled” and “opportunistic”, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop on Sunday (18 Aug 2024) fired back at the erstwhile top cop during the Duterte administration’s “bloody” war on illegal drugs and called the latter “the real opportunist.”
In a statement, Acop challenged dela Rosa to identify the House members he accused of being “unprincipled” and “opportunistic.”
“If anyone is the real opportunist, it’s Sen. dela Rosa, who shamelessly used his ties with the former President to rise from PNP (Philippine National Police) chief to a senator, leading a bloody drug war that targeted the powerless while shielding the powerful,” the Antipolo lawmaker fumed.
Dela Rosa earlier said that House members were “unprincipled” and “opportunistic” as they criticized former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s war on drugs.
He claimed that the House members used to be supportive of it.
Acop co-chairs the House Quad Committee that is investigating the possible link of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to the illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings involving drugs, and other crimes.
During its first joint committee hearing on Friday (16 August 2024) in Bacolor, Pampanga, former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban testified that Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio, and the former President’s then-economic adviser Michael Yang allegedly smuggled in P11 billion worth of shabu in 2018.
“Don’t act like a K9 of the previous administration. Prioritize the country’s interests and the general welfare of the people,” Acop chided Dela Rosa.
He also called Dela Rosa a “loyal lapdog” of Duterte since the senator focused on “his career” rather than “justice.”
“Sen. Dela Rosa’s loyalty lies not with the truth, but with protecting his interests and those of his political benefactors,” Acop said.
He criticized dela Rosa for failing to expose such information in the Senate’s drug hearing.
“Sen. dela Rosa’s so-called investigations were a farce. Despite his position, he conveniently ignored the involvement of individuals close to the former President. Who was he protecting?” Acop noted.
He emphasized that the focus of the House Quad Committee is to find out the truth and “will not be deterred by threats or accusations.”
“We are simply doing our duty. There’s no need to fear the Quad committee unless there’s something to hide. It’s becoming too obvious that Sen. Dela Rosa is scared,” Acop stressed.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has revealed that his office received an email from the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting an interview. However, his office is still in the process of verifying the authenticity of the communication.
“My office received an email. I’m not sure how authentic that email is. We are still questioning its authenticity,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview when asked about receiving any communication, such as letters, from the ICC.
“They want to interview me,” he added.
The senator mentioned that he is considering whether to respond to the interview request to verify that it was indeed sent by the ICC. However, Dela Rosa expressed concerns that engaging with the ICC might imply that he acknowledges its jurisdiction over the Philippines.
“If it’s really the ICC that wants to interview me, it would mean I’ve recognized their jurisdiction… Why should I engage? They might later claim that I’ve recognized it,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa was the Chief of the Philippine National Police when the Duterte administration’s war on drugs was implemented.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Leaders of the House of Representatives responded sharply on Sunday, August 11, 2024, to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s claims that some lawmakers are conspiring to implicate him and former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa’s remarks followed the formation of Quad Committees in the House to probe connections between the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
House Deputy Speaker Rep. David Suarez criticized Dela Rosa’s statements as “unnecessary, unparliamentary, and unbecoming of a public servant.”
“The House leadership has always acted with the utmost integrity, and it is highly irresponsible to suggest that they are behind a witch hunt against Senator Dela Rosa or former President Duterte,” Suarez emphasized in a statement.
Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Jude Acidre also expressed disappointment with Dela Rosa’s remarks.
Last week, the House formed the Quad Committee, comprising four congressional panels, to investigate potential links between POGOs and illegal drug activities, extrajudicial killings related to drugs, and other crimes.
The committees involved are the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers; the Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante; the Committee on Public Order and Safety, chaired by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez; and the Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa remains steadfast in his decision not to attend the House of Representatives inquiry on the war on drugs.
“Even if they say it’s a committee of the whole, I still won’t attend—whether it’s the entire House or a committee of the whole—because I don’t want to set a precedent that violates the tradition of inter-parliamentary courtesy between both houses of Congress,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview on Saturday, August 10, 2024.
When asked if he had spoken with former President Rodrigo Duterte about his decision to attend the House probe, Dela Rosa said he was unsure.
“I don’t know. But he has made a public statement that he won’t attend,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police chief during the implementation of Duterte’s drug war.
In addition to the issue of extrajudicial killings, the House also aims to investigate the possible links between the drug trade and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
(ia/mnm)
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)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Philippines is keeping its hands off if the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor will interview “suspects”, one of whom was former Philippine National Police (PNP) and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, accused of crimes against humanity in former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s war on drugs.
This was the stance of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) which disclosed on Tuesday (30 July 2024) that there was a letter from the ICC asking for assistance from the Philippine government for him to interview the suspects in the bloody drug war that human rights groups claimed to have killed 30,000 people.
“Meron talagang sulat na nanggaling sa prosecutor na hinihiling niya ang assistance ng Philippine government para ma-interview ng prosecutor yung limang tao na binabanggit dun sa sulat,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.
He explained that the purpose of the interview would be to get more facts about the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“Kasi sa ngayon ang napapakinggan lang ng prosecutor ay yung sa side ng mga complainants,” he said.
It can be recalled that in a 24 Oras report on January 31, 2024, confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman former Davao Senior Police Officer Arturo “Arthur” Lascañas accused Vice President Sara Duterte of orchestrating “Oplan Tokhang” in Davao City during her stint as mayor in 2012.
“Siya (VP Sara) nga ang pasimuno nitong Oplan Tokhang nung naka-upo siya as mayor nung 2012 in-appoint nya si Bato Dela Rosa as Chief of Police ng Davao City,” Lascañas claimed.
Lascañas had submitted a 186-page affidavit to the ICC, which he said contains information on the alleged killings perpetrated by former President Duterte and the involvement of VP Sara in the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Davao City.
Guevarra said the interviews would be in preparation for seeking arrest warrants from the ICC’s pre-trial chamber.
“Bahala kayo kung gusto niyong mag-interview. Go ahead, pero hindi makiki-alam diyan ang Philippine government. Do not expect any cooperation from our side,” the SolGen said of the ICC request.
He pointed out that the Philippine government would not assist in arranging ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s interviews, noting that the country “disengaged completely from the ICC in 2019.”
The Philippine government “has no legal duty to lend any assistance to the ICC prosecutor in conducting his investigation but [it] cannot stop him from proceeding any way he wants,” Guevarra stressed.
He added that Khan “can directly interview persons of interest online, through the phone, by email, or face to face, subject to the consent of these persons but [he] cannot expect that the Philippine government will facilitate it for him.”
In 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that states are obliged to cooperate with “whatever process was already initiated before the International Criminal Court” before withdrawal.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday (27 June 2024) assured a fair Senate investigation into the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) alleged use of excessive force during the warrant service against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“Considering that I am a former chief of the Philippine National Police, and at the same time, I’m a Davaoeño—those affected by the raid are my fellow Davaoeños. So, you can expect fairness because I hold both parties dear,” Dela Rosa stated at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
The senator emphasized that his investigation would be unbiased as he has affection for both the PNP and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
“I love the PNP, and I also care for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ members who are Davaoeños. I stand in the middle. You will not find any unfairness or bias in the investigation I will conduct,” said Dela Rosa, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
The PNP has previously stated that the warrant service on Quiboloy was a lawful operation.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Thursday (27 June 2024) that no one can stop former President Rodrigo Duterte from running for the Senate, especially when it comes to “matters of national interest.”
“I think he’s open to any possibility. He’s open. But, considering his age, he should be resting. However, you cannot stop him, especially when it comes to matters of national interest,” Dela Rosa said when asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement that three Dutertes would be running for Senate.
Dela Rosa mentioned that he met with the former president two weeks ago, but they did not discuss these matters.
The Vice President previously disclosed that the former president, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte will seek Senate seats in the 2025 midterm elections.
The senator emphasized that there is no prohibition against the three Dutertes running for the Senate simultaneously.
“There is no prohibition against that. Anybody who is eligible and qualified to run for the Senate is welcome. It’s possible,” Dela Rosa responded when asked if the Dutertes were serious about running at the same time for Senate seats.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Despite not receiving an invitation from the Committee on Human Rights, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has stated he will not attend the House of Representatives’ probe into the controversial war on drugs.
This decision follows the advice of Senate President Chiz Escudero.
“I sought the advice of the Senate President on what to do. I have no problem; I can face them anytime. But still, I have to follow the guidance of the Senate President as a member of the institution, the Senate of the Philippines. I need to follow his guidance,” Dela Rosa said.
“His response was, ‘No, you don’t have to attend,’ because there are ongoing discussions in the Senate that every time a senator’s name is mentioned in their hearing, it breaks inter-parliamentary courtesy. What can a senator do? There are only 24 of us. If we keep attending their hearings, the Senate will be unable to perform its legislative functions,” the former national police chief added.
Dela Rosa clarified that he is simply adhering to the long-standing tradition in the Senate to follow the directives of their top leader.
“We have to seek guidance because that is an enshrined practice, a tradition among legislative chambers to observe inter-parliamentary courtesy,” the lawmaker said.
Dela Rosa also challenged those who argue that he and former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for their roles in the campaign against illegal drugs to file appropriate cases in Philippine courts.
“If they want, they can file a case. We are ready to face any court here in the Philippines,” he said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa admitted on Tuesday, May 21, that he was among the senators who signed in favor of the new Senate President, Chiz Escudero.
“Yes. Eventhough my signature may seem insignificant. They approached me after the battle had been won. They already had 14 signatures,” Dela Rosa told reporters in a press briefing.
It can be recalled that Dela Rosa was seen crying as former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri delivered his resignation speech.
“When [Sen.] Migz approached me, I couldn’t help but cry… What I want to say to [Sen.] Migz—sorry, boss. I failed to win the war for you,” the senator said.
A total of 15 senators voted to oust Zubiri as the Senate President.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Senator Ronald dela Rosa stated on Thursday (May 9, 2024) that he has not made any preparations for a possible issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him and former president Rodrigo Duterte regarding the war on drugs issue.
“No, I haven’t prepared,” Dela Rosa remarked during a radio interview when questioned about his readiness for a potential ICC arrest warrant.
“The President has already stated repeatedly that he will not agree to nor cooperate with any ICC investigation,” the senator added.
Dela Rosa also expressed confidence that President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would maintain his stance of non-cooperation with the ICC. “I don’t think he’ll backtrack on his statements. I still believe,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa challenged former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to participate in any ICC arrest attempt. “If he wants to play cops and robbers, he should join those who want to make arrests,” Dela Rosa remarked.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has affirmed his readiness to participate in the enforcement of the arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
He stated that he is prepared to assist the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms upon request, once the Senate’s directive to arrest the KOJC founder is executed.
Dela Rosa also mentioned his willingness to provide aid to Quiboloy should the pastor seek assistance to ensure his safety.
Assuring Quiboloy’s well-being if he is detained within the Senate, the senator pledged that no harm would befall him under Senate custody.
Moreover, Dela Rosa expressed confidence that the implementation of the arrest order would transpire without any violent incidents.
(el Amigo/MNM)