Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa resurfaced briefly on social media during Christmas to deliver a holiday greeting as speculation continued to circulate about his legal situation.
“Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope the holiday season is safe, happy, and meaningful for every Filipino,” said the former police chief, who has kept a low public profile in recent weeks amid renewed rumors linking him to a possible arrest connected to an International Criminal Court (ICC) inquiry.
Those rumors were promptly rejected by dela Rosa’s legal camp, which dismissed claims that authorities were preparing to arrest the senator on a specific December date.
His counsel said there had been no declaration, notice, or lawful basis indicating that any arrest was imminent or authorized against the senator.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also rejected the arrest narrative, saying the government had not received any warrant or formal directive from the ICC.
Despite repeated denials, speculation about dela Rosa’s legal exposure has circulated since an earlier statement by the Office of the Ombudsman suggesting ICC action had been taken.
The Philippine National Police separately said it had no information regarding any planned arrest of the former police general.
