SENATOR Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed hope that the Supreme Court will rule fairly on the petition challenging the legality of the International Criminal Court’s arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Again, we are praying that the Supreme Court will be guided accordingly, at sana ‘yung kanilang decision, they should decide according to the merits of the case, at ‘wag po sana silang magpapadala sa politika because we know that we are a co-equal branch of government,” Dela Rosa said in an interview on Thursday.
“Sana buo ‘yung kanilang pasya, walang konsiderasyon na politikal o pressure from other co-equal branch of government, not even from the Senate, na one of its members is one of the petitioners. Mas lalo na sana, not even the Malacañang na alam natin kung gaano na sila ka-kwan ‘no, ka-oppressive sa kanilang mga pinaggagawa,” he added.
Duterte and Dela Rosa, through their legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon, filed a petition for certiorari against Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Sec. Boying Remulla, and others regarding actions taken against them by the Marcos administration.
One of the petition’s prayer is the grant of Termporary Restraining Order for the arrest of Duterte, which was later denied by the Supreme Court.
On Friday, Torreon, on behalf of Duterte and Dela Rosa, filed a motion for reconsideration for the TRO denial. The MR urges the High Court to exhaust all efforts to bring Duterte back to the Philippines.
The former chief of the Philippine National Police said that he plans to exhaust all legal avenues and remedies available to defend himself.
He however clarified that he is ready to face arrest should the courts and the Senate choose to give him up.
“If all legal remedies are exhausted and still justice is to no avail, then I don’t want my family to suffer from cops looking for a heartbeat. I am ready to join the old man hoping that they would allow me to take care of him,” Dela Rosa posted on Facebook following Duterte’s arrest.
The Mindanaoan senator also called for sobriety among their supporters, saying that calls to topple the government would ultimately hurt the country.
“Umaabot na sa punto na hinahamon na tayo na mag-People Power o kung anong gusto nila. But then again, I appeal to the sobriety. Huwag po tayong magpadalos-dalos dahil ang Pilipinas din ang magsa-suffer kung magkakagulo po tayo sa mga gano’ng hakbangin. We have to appeal for their sobriety. Sana po relax lang tayo,” urged the senator.
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