Bato hopes for fair SC ruling on ICC petition

Reelectionist Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will rule fairly on the petition that seeks to prohibit government agencies from cooperating with the International Criminal Court and its investigation into the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

In a press statement on Saturday, Dela Rosa asked the Court to rule based on the merits of the petition.

“Again, we are praying that the Supreme Court will be guided accordingly...they should decide according to the merits of the case, at ‘wag po sana silang magpapadala sa politika (we hope they won't be influenced by politics) because we know that we are a co-equal branch of government,” he said.

Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte, through their lawyer Atty. Israelito Torreon filed a petition for certiorari against Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and other officials over actions taken by the Marcos administration regarding the ICC case.

The petition sought a temporary restraining order to prevent Duterte’s arrest, which the SC denied. In response, Duterte and Dela Rosa’s legal team filed a motion for reconsideration, urging the high court to take further steps to secure Duterte’s return to the Philippines.

Duterte is being held at an ICC-run detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, after he was arrested on Tuesday on drug war-related crimes against humanity charges.

Dela Rosa, Duterte's first Philippine National Police chief, affirmed his commitment to exhausting all legal remedies to defend himself. However, he also stated his willingness to face arrest if legal options are no longer available.

"If all legal remedies are exhausted and still justice is to no avail, then I don’t want my family to suffer from cops looking for a heartbeat. I am ready to join the old man hoping that they would allow me to take care of him," Dela Rosa posted on Facebook following Duterte's arrest.

The senator also called for sobriety among their supporters, saying that calls to topple the government would ultimately hurt the country.

Priority measures

Meanwhile, other senatorial candidates visited several areas to clinch the support of potential voters.

Ariel Querubin pushed for reforms in education and scholarships during his visit to City of Malabon University on Friday.

Querubin said that there was a large disparity between literacy rates and academic performance in the country.

“Nakita natin 97% ang ating literacy rate, but how come ang daming bumabagsak sa math, sa English, sa Science? Mukhang kailangan natin na pag-aralan maigi kung papaano natin mapapataas ang kalidad ng edukasyon,” Querubin said.

(We saw a 97% literacy rate, but how come many students are failing math, English, and Science? It seems we need to look into how we can increase the quality of education.)

“Gusto ko ho sana na gawing scholar—isang panukalang batas—na lahat ng panganay sa pamilya ay iskolar ng bayan,” he added.

(I want to turn all eldest children into the nation’s scholars through a law.)

At a senatorial forum at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Saturday, some Makabayan candidates bared their priority measures once elected.

Jerome Adonis said he would push for a P1,200 minimum wage for all workers and end contractualization.

Nurse Alyn Andamo aims for free, complete, and quality health services in all public health care facilities and vowed to break the cycle of poverty and ill health.

Ronnel Arambulo said he would work for reforms in the fishing industry and ensure the rights of fisherfolk, protect the environment, and protect the country's sovereignty.

Teddy Casiño said he would prioritize the anti-dynasty bill, amendments in the party-list law, freedom of information, and other measures to empower the Filipino citizens.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said she would push for the abolition of confidential funds and access to public officials' SALNs.

Eufemia Doringo said she would aim for legislation strengthening the livelihood, housing, and social services of Filipinos.

Amirah Lidasan vowed to remove "fascist" policies such as the Anti-Terrorism Act and strengthen the rights of Moros and indigenous peoples.

Makabayan president Liza Maza said she would push for an independent foreign policy and the removal of foreign military installations in the country.

Labor leader Leody de Guzman said he would also push for a law banning political dynasties.

Former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza said she would closely monitor and ensure enough budget for education, AFP modernization, and the return of the funds taken from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). —VBL, GMA Integrated News

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