MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has urged the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt his potential arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, citing intensifying government pressure and a multi-million peso bounty.
Through his legal counsel, Atty. Esraelito Torreon, Dela Rosa filed a manifestation asking the high tribunal to reconsider its May 20 resolution, which previously denied his request for interim relief.
The legal filing highlights sudden developments that have heightened the senator’s security risks, including a declaration by Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. labeling him armed and dangerous, alongside a government-backed ₱50 million capture bounty.
The developments follow a strict one-week surrender ultimatum given by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla after the administration shifted away from negotiation tactics. The manifestation also underscores directives from the Office of the President, conveyed through Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, ordering law enforcement agencies to execute the arrest swiftly.
In the legal filing, Dela Rosa’s camp emphasized the coordinated nature of the state’s operations:
“Taken together, these are not stray remarks of individual officials. They constitute an announced executive enforcement program: an official ‘armed and dangerous’ designation, a ₱50- million capture bounty from public funds, a dedicated task force, Special Action Force deployment, and express Presidential support, all directed at the arrest of a sitting Senator of the Republic for surrender to a foreign tribunal, while the legality of that very act is pending before this Honorable Supreme Court.”
The Supreme Court’s Office of the Spokesperson previously explained in a May 20 press briefer that the tribunal voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s initial prayer for a TRO or status quo ante order.
The court noted that the denial strictly addressed interim reliefs, while the main legal questions regarding foreign warrants and domestic enforcement remain pending.
Dela Rosa’s legal battles and underground status stem from events late last year when an ICC arrest order emerged. After nearly six months in hiding, the senator briefly surfaced on May 11 to attend a Senate session where Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was ousted as Senate President and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano assumed the post.
During that appearance, the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the ICC warrant at the Senate premises, but law enforcement agents backed off after the chamber placed Dela Rosa under its protective custody. Following a chaotic series of events, Dela Rosa slipped out of the Senate building in the early hours of May 14 and has remained in hiding since.
In response to his evasion, the Department of Justice requested the Bureau of Immigration to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order to track any potential attempts to flee the country.
Leadership shifts within the Senate have also continued, with Senator Win Gatchalian succeeding Cayetano as Senate President on June 17.