Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday defended fellow Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa amid renewed scrutiny over the latter’s whereabouts and reports of a possible International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the former police chief.
Padilla said dela Rosa has been unfairly criticized, emphasizing his colleague’s long career in law enforcement and public service.
“Pagiging palaban pa lang po na pulis ang taong ito ay nagpakita na ng pagiging propesyonal sa trabaho niya maging saan mang lupalop ng Pilipinas. Hindi po yan pulis patola! War veteran po yan,” he said.
(From his early days as a field operative, this police officer has consistently demonstrated professionalism in his work wherever he was assigned in the Philippines. He is not a hotheaded or reactive policeman. He is a war veteran.)
Padilla described dela Rosa, his political ally in the Senate minority, as a hands-on public servant familiar with the struggles of ordinary Filipinos and the challenges of national security.
He pointed out that Dela Rosa also continues to manage a fully staffed Senate office capable of drafting legislation and handling administrative operations.
“Ang pagiging senador po ay hindi lamang pag upo sa opisina at pakikipagpalitan ng tsismis sa media at sa pagsasalita ng maganda sa plenaryo o pagiging pabida sa mga pagdinig. Kasaysayan po ang magpapatunay na hindi patulog tulog sa pansitan si Senator Bato! Worker po yan!” the lawmaker said.
(Being a senator is not just about sitting in an office, trading gossip with the media, delivering flowery speeches in the plenary, or grandstanding during hearings. History will show that Senator Bato is not one who sleeps on the job. He is a worker.)
“He is a Senator of the Filipino people, not a Senator of the Senate building,” Padilla concluded.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 under former President Rodrigo Duterte during the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths and drew international attention and condemnation.
The former police chief reportedly already has a warrant from the ICC – which has already detained Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands — but Philippine authorities say no formal document has been received.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said dela Rosa was last known to be in the periphery of Davao City, visiting friends and moving around on a motorcycle.
