Senator Ronald dela Rosa during a rally in support of former president Rodrigo Duterte, March 16, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE 2) — Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he could hole up in the Senate or go into hiding altogether if the International Criminal Court seeks his arrest to face crimes against humanity charges with former President Rodrigo Duterte for their war on drugs. 

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier said Dela Rosa cannot be arrested within Senate premises.

"Hindi ko naman sinasabi na forever ako mag-standby dyan. So meron pa rin, meron pa rin, hanap pa rin tayong ibang courses of action na pwedeng gawin," Dela Rosa told media.

(I'm not saying I will hang out there forever. There are still some courses of action available to us.)

He said he will wait for the Supreme Court decision on his petition on the legality of Duterte's arrest on an ICC warrant, "then we will make our next move.

Escudero explains why Dela Rosa can't be arrested within Senate premises

Despite the possible Senate sanctuary, he did not rule out going into hiding. 

"Kasama 'yan sa courses of action natin," he said. "Kasama yan sa kino-consider natin. Kasama yan sa courses of of action na pwedeng gawin."

(That is one of our courses of action. That is among the options being considered.)

Dela Rosa walked backed previous pronouncements where he expressed readiness to join his former boss so he could take care of Duterte in detention.

"Hindi makabisita nang basta-basta yung anak na si Vice President Sara. How much more kung ako na pareho lang kaming detainee, paano ako makapag-demand ng time na para makasama doon o makiusap na pareho naman kaming detainee?" the senator said. 

(Vice President Sara [Duterte], his daughter, cannot visit him. How much more for me if we are both detainees. How would I demand time with him or to talk with him if we are both detainees?)

Rodrigo Duterte at ICC: What happens next?

Dela Rosa and Duterte have sought a temporary restraining order against the Philippine government's cooperation with the ICC. 

Escudero previously cited a long line of precedents where senators were protected by the Senate until they surrendered to authorities.

Asked if he thought staying indefinitely in the Senate would sit well with the Senate president, Dela Rosa said: "Pag nandiyan ako sa loob, wala naman siya magawa. Alangan naman sabihin, palayasin niya ako."

(If I am already inside, I don't think he can do anything. I don't think he will kick me out)

He said he will consider his next moves if Escudero does tell him to leave the Senate building in Pasay City.

Dela Rosa says to turn himself in when Senate protection from possible ICC arrest ends

GABRIELA REP: BATO SHOULD FACE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPLEMENTING DRUG WAR

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas meanwhile called on Dela Rosa to face the consequences of his role as "implementor" during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

"Hindi siya dapat magtago doon sa Senado dahil meron siyang haharapin na cases katulad nito. Lalo na siya, kasi implementor siya. Hindi nga lang siya. Co-accused siya eh," the lawmaker said. 

(He should not hide at the Senate because he has cases to face, especially since he was an implementor. He is a co-accused)

Dela Rosa was Philippine National Police chief in the first years of the war on drugs and, Brosas said, cases of extrajudicial killings spiked during his tenure.

PNP says it will assist Interpol if more ICC arrest warrants are issued

"Sabi niya, kung wala siyang ginagawang masama, kailangan niyang harapin yung kaso niya, lalong lalo na doon sa ICC," she said.

(He said if he did nothing wrong, he should face the case, especially at the ICC)

DELA ROSA: SOME WOUNDS ONLY DUTERTE'S RETURN CAN HEAL

The senator also stressed that there are "wounds" endured by the former president's supporters since Duterte's arrest that would only be healed by his return. 

"[T]he wound is so deep...our wounds are so deep that I don't think immediate healing can happen. Maybe the healing can happen only if President Duterte is being sent back to the Philippines."

The senator added he was saddened by the actions of National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and by the sentiments that Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on his Facebook account.

Año was among those who planned the arrest of former president Duterte, according to Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla.

He said that Año, a Cabinet official during the Duterte administration, could have warned the former president of the impending arrest "out of courtesy."

He said he cannot blame Año for doing his job, and that the hurt he felt "more on personal, not official."

Meanwhile, Enrile had posted on his Facebook account the "pathetic and ghastly irony" that has befallen "those who allegedly committed unwarranted  and violent acts of injustice." 

Dela Rosa said he will respect Enrile's opinion because "he is already old."