Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano threw a sharp counterpunch on Tuesday, questioning why the administration is busy criticizing Sen. Ronald โBatoโ 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 Rosaโs prolonged absence, Cayetano didnโt hesitate โ he sided squarely with the former police chief. In a justice system where life and liberty feel threatened, he said, โWhat options would you take?โ For him, Dela Rosa hiding isn’t defiance โ it’s survival.
Cayetano argued that the government should be laying out due process protections instead of fanning pressure. โThe real question,โ he said, โis why there is no assurance that his rights will be protected.โ With the senator facing crimes against humanity charges linked to Duterteโs 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, Cayetanoโs jab lands clean: before judging Dela Rosaโs 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