𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗝𝗔𝗕: 𝗖𝗮𝘆𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘃’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗼’𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano threw a sharp counterpunch on Tuesday, questioning why the administration is busy criticizing Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa instead of guaranteeing his basic rights amid reports of a looming International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

Asked what the minority bloc plans to do about Dela Rosa’s prolonged absence, Cayetano didn’t hesitate — he sided squarely with the former police chief. In a justice system where life and liberty feel threatened, he said, “What options would you take?” For him, Dela Rosa hiding isn’t defiance — it’s survival.

Cayetano argued that the government should be laying out due process protections instead of fanning pressure. “The real question,” he said, “is why there is no assurance that his rights will be protected.” With the senator facing crimes against humanity charges linked to Duterte’s drug war and reportedly avoiding arrest since November 11, the minority leader insists the administration should establish clear safeguards, not pile on.

While the minority bloc has yet to meet on the issue, Cayetano’s jab lands clean: before judging Dela Rosa’s absence, he says, the government must show it can guarantee fairness in a high-stakes legal fight that has national eyes watching.

Image from Senate of the PH FB