The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied Senator Bato dela Rosa’s “very urgent” motion seeking to compel Ombudsman Boying Remulla to produce what dela Rosa claimed was an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
Remulla had earlier alleged that the ICC issued a warrant against dela Rosa in connection with the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte over the war on drugs.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, confirmed it had received no such warrant from any international authority.
The issue arose from a March 11 petition filed by Duterte and dela Rosa questioning a supposed impending ICC arrest and the government’s cooperation with the court.
They filed a Very Urgent Motion on November 12, claiming Remulla publicly stated that an ICC arrest warrant had been issued, a diffusion order was in effect, and the Philippine government would surrender dela Rosa without extradition.
They also sought judicial notice of Remulla’s statements, certification from DOJ and DFA on any ICC-related communications, and a preliminary injunction citing a “clear, present, and continuing danger.”
The Supreme Court denied the motion, ordering respondents to comment on the Very Urgent Manifestation within a non-extendible 10-day period.
“Acting on these submissions, the SC denied the Very Urgent Motion seeking to compel the production of the alleged ICC warrant,” the tribunal said.