Vice President Sara Duterte has brushed aside concerns over a possible International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, stressing that life has far worse fates than imprisonment.
“Sa tingin ko lang ha, sa lahat ng tao, sa buhay ng isang tao, the worst thing that could happen is magkasakit at mamatay,” Duterte told reporters in The Hague on Tuesday.
She added, “Kapag wala kang sakit at hindi ka namatay at buhay na buhay ka pa, kahit nasa loob ka man ng kulungan o nasa labas ka ng kulungan, okay na yun.”
Duterte dismissed worries about Dela Rosa’s situation, noting that it was not serious since the senator remained healthy.
“Kaya ‘di ba, yung (sa) sitwasyon ni Senator Bato, wala yan. Hindi naman siya nagkasakit eh,” she said.
Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions since November 11, amid reports from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla that the ICC issued a warrant against him.
The alleged warrant is linked to his role as Philippine National Police chief during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.