Instead of seeking protection from the Senate, Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin told Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to join former president Rodrigo Duterte at the Hague in the Netherlands.
“Sa pananaw ko, ang pinakamagandang gawin ngayon ni Senator Bato dela Rosa ay tulungan niya ang depensa ng dating pangulo,” she said in a press conference on Friday, March 14.
Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief at the start of Duterte’s term, “knows more [about the previous administration’s war on drugs] than us,” according to Garin.
The senator had earlier appealed to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero not to surrender him immediately to authorities once a warrant of arrest against him is issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Hangga’t kaya ng Senate President, na kupkupin niya muna ako, hindi niya muna ako i-surrender kung may warrant of arrest na. I hope din na rerespetuhin din siya ng executive branch of government ‘no kasi meron naman ‘yan mga ganoon naman na protocol, ‘di ba?” he said in a media interview.
Garin doubted if the Senate could provide protection to Dela Rosa because of the break in sessions.
“Well, if Congress is in session, siyempre pwede siyang… I am not really sure kung ito ba ay mag-aapply if it’s an ICC warrant of arrest. Kasi ang pangkaraniwan, kapag ikaw ay may kaso at nasa sesyon ang Kongreso, pwede ngang hindi hulihin,” she said.
Dela Rosa is among Duterte’s co-accused in case filed by concerned groups before the ICC.IMT
