Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is prepared should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue a warrant of arrest against him in connection with crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I am ready. I am ready,” Dela Rosa said on Wednesday.
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief led the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, which is at the center of the ICC probe.
In a privilege speech, Dela Rosa questioned the reported welfare check conducted by officials of the Philippine Embassy in The Hague on Duterte.
“Hindi mo maiwasan sa’min na sa side ng mga Duterte na pagdududa. Di naman natin talagang sinasabi na masasamang tao yung pumunta doon kung sila ay totoong officials ng Philippine Embassy pero hindi mo lang talagang maiwasan na magduda,” he said.
He later added: “Lalo na si Pangulong Duterte eh do you want to be visited by these people coming from the very government that brought you there? Gusto mong bisitahin ka ba? I don’t think so.”
The senator urged his colleagues to back Senate Resolution 18, which calls for Duterte’s interim release, expressing confidence it could pass with support from both the minority and majority.
“Kung puwede nga ang request natin ay Davao, pauwiin ng Davao. He is already harmless. Harmless physically, emotionally,” Dela Rosa said.
He also argued that the ICC case is being used to divert attention from the controversy surrounding ghost flood control projects.
“Baka taktika lang yan nila para maibsan konti ‘yung pressure na nararamdaman nila diyan sa ghost na flood control investigation. Diversionary lang yan,” he remarked.
Dela Rosa further called for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to be included in the investigation, citing allegations that Rep. Zaldy Co, then House Appropriations chair, received billions in kickbacks from DPWH projects in Bulacan.
“Kung nadidiin si Zaldy Co, ganun na rin yung sa kanya. Sino bang boss ni Zaldy Co? Saka sinabi nga ni Discaya di ba? Sabi ni Discaya para kay Zaldy Co at kay Speaker,” he said.