Senate minority urges dialogue, due process in Senator Dela Rosa case

The Senate minority called on the government to pursue dialogue in and a peaceful resolution to the case of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as they stressed the need to uphold his right to due process and to avoid loss of life.

In a statement, the minority bloc said it was ready to help facilitate discussions between Dela Rosa’s camp and the government to establish a lawful process through which the allegations against the senator could be heard and answered.

The bloc also appealed to the executive branch, law enforcement agencies, Dela Rosa and his family and legal counsel, and his supporters to exercise restraint and keep communication lines open.

“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” the minority said.

It said it understood the government’s desire to resolve the matter in the interest of law and order, while expressing confidence that a peaceful resolution that respects the law and protects lives remained possible.

The minority cited Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s stance favoring negotiations over an operation that could cost lives.

It also urged the government to consider Dela Rosa’s public statements that he was prepared to face the accusations and charges against him before Philippine courts, as well as his call for peaceful support, as a basis for dialogue.

The bloc further emphasized the need to protect Philippine sovereignty and the rights of Filipino citizens, citing the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s previous rejection of cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation on sovereignty grounds.

It also noted the administration’s distinction between cooperation with Interpol and cooperation with the ICC.

To illustrate its position, in a hypothetical visit to Manila by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has an ICC arrest warrant, they said authorities would be expected to carefully examine Philippine laws, international obligations and applicable procedures before any arrest.

While acknowledging that the legal circumstances were different, the bloc said Dela Rosa, as a Filipino citizen in his own country, deserved the same careful consideration of his rights.