Dela Rosa to Hontiveros, drug war critics: File case in PH courts, not ICC
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa dared Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and other critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs to file cases in local Philippine courts and not the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We have a criminal justice here in the Philippines. I-file nila kung meron silang kaso. I-file nila kahit saang korte rito sa Pilipinas. I-file nila. Kasi alam nila na ang kanilang mga ginagawa ay puro mga bula. [Alam nila] na walang leg to stand on ang kanilang mga [accusation],” a visible irked dela Rosa exclaimed on Tuesday.
(We have criminal justice here in the Philippines. If they have cases, file them — file them in any court here in the Philippines. They know that what they are doing is only a bubble. They know that their accusations have no leg to stand on.)
“They know that local courts will not entertain their claims. That’s why they prefer the ICC. What they are doing with the ICC is only propaganda. They know it,” dela Rosa added, partly in Filipino.
Dela Rosa’s statements came after opposition lawmaker Hontiveros filed a resolution urging Malacañang to cooperate with the ICC and accommodate the international tribunal’s bid to start its investigation on the alleged rights violations that took place during former President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
READ: Sen. Risa Hontiveros files resolution urging Palace to work with ICC
Dela Rosa, who was the chief implementer of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, said he was hurt by Hontiveros’ decision to file her ICC resolution.
“Masama talaga [ang loob ko]. I have to tell you frankly. Of all the people, siya talaga. Baka sabihin niya [ay] trabaho lang, walang personalan — sa akin that’s very personal. Kahit pa sabihin mong trabaho mo ‘yan, that’s very personal to me because I am one of the subjects na imbestigahan,” he told reporters.
(I was hurt. I have to tell you frankly. Of all people, it’s her. Maybe she’ll say it’s only a part of her job, do not take it personally — but for me, that’s very personal. Even if she says that it’s only a part of her job, that’s very personal to me because I am one of the subjects to be investigated.)
When asked if he was planning to talk and settle disagreements with Hontiveros, dela Rosa immediately retorted: No, let her be.
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