Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday questioned his colleagues’ willingness to submit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) a certified transcript of a recent Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing.
He was referring to the panel’s hearing on the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, in which he was very closely involved.
Dela Rosa was reacting to Senate President Francis Escudero saying there was no reason for the Upper Chamber to refuse a justifiable request to certify transcripts of its hearings on the previous administration’s drug war.
“It’s no problem with him, but for me, it seems there’s a problem,” he said in Filipino.
Dela Rosa emphasized that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippine government.
“Giving in to their request is tantamount to recognizing the jurisdiction over us. The government is very consistent in declaring the ICC has no jurisdiction over us,” the former national police chief stressed.
Despite his protestations, Dela Rosa insisted he is not worried about the ICC’s investigation on him, saying he simply wants all branches of the Philippine government to be on the same page about its position on the international tribunal.
“I have no worry, what I’m saying is we should all be synchronized. When Malacañang says that we do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, then as a country, as a nation, we should not recognize [the ICC],” he said.
During last week’s Blue Ribbon hearing, Duterte made several admissions that many believe carry legal repercussions, including his testimony about organizing a “death squad” in Davao City when he was still its mayor.
Duterte also took “full responsibility” for the drug war waged by his government, and challenged anyone to file cases against him.
It can be recalled that former President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute after the ICC began investigating his anti-drug campaign over alleged human rights abuses.
