House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila De Lima has urged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to face the crimes against humanity case filed against him before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
De Lima questioned whether Dela Rosa could claim immunity as a lawmaker, stressing that such privilege does not apply to grave offenses.
“Unang-una hindi ako nagtago sa Senado,” De Lima said in a podcast with Edwin Lacierda and Barry Gutierrez.
“Although I must clarify also na hindi ko naman magi-invoke yung immunity… Yung chinarge sa akin drug cases so mga life imprisonment yung mga imposable penalty.”
She pointed out that congressional immunity covers only crimes with penalties not exceeding six years, which does not include the ICC case.
“Pero itong kay Sen. Dela Rosa (he is facing) crimes against humanity yan eh… So how can that be justifiable under the immunity na accorded sa mga members of Congress,” she added.
De Lima said even if Dela Rosa hides in the Senate, it would not be permanent: “Hindi naman pwedeng magtago na lang siya ng magtago… kasi nga in session lang (ang Congress).”
She concluded with a challenge: “Ang pinaka-dapat ay sumurender na lang siya. Ano ba? Akala ko ba matapang siya?… Be man enough to face, confront your charges.”