Senator Padilla envies Senator Dela Rosa for being wanted by ICC

Senator Robin Padilla on Friday expressed envy toward his colleague, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who remains in hiding amid an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his alleged role in the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Padilla said he viewed the foreign tribunal's pursuit of Dela Rosa differently from being sought by fellow Filipinos, drawing comparisons with Filipino revolutionaries Macario Sakay and Andres Bonifacio.

“Message ko kay kumpare ko? Siguro gusto ko malaman mo naiinggit ako sa’yo. ‘Yun lang, naiinggit ako…Aba eh dayuhan ang naghahanap sa kaniya,” Padilla said.

Padilla made the remarks after personally attending a preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday over an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.

The complaint stemmed from his involvement in escorting Dela Rosa out of the Senate premises in May, when the latter was already facing an ICC arrest warrant.

Despite calls from law enforcement authorities for Dela Rosa to surrender, Padilla said he would not urge his fellow senator to turn himself in to the international tribunal, arguing that no local court had issued an arrest warrant against him.

“Sumuko kanino, sa dayuhan? Ay hindi...Kahit naman ako kung ICC ‘to hindi ako susuko. Bakit ako susuko don? Right 'yan ni Bato. Right niya ’yan, wala naman akong nakitang warrant of arrest na local. Walang court na humahanap sa kaniya, dayuhan to,” he said.

Dela Rosa faces an ICC arrest warrant in connection with the drug war launched under former president Rodrigo Duterte, during which he served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP has organized a dedicated task force to locate the senator, while Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has offered a P50-million reward for information that would lead to his arrest.

Authorities have repeatedly appealed to Dela Rosa to surrender as efforts to locate him continue.