MANILA — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said senators have not yet held talks on how the chamber would respond if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants against Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go, who were named among the alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ang tanong muna, is there an arrest? Inuunahan eh, inuusahan ng tanong ninyo… I’ll cross the bridge when I get there,” Sotto told reporters, emphasizing that no official notice has been received by the Senate.

He added that the chamber has not convened a caucus on the matter and will only act if there is concrete information. “If there’s nothing concrete na nakikita, why would I say what I think? Are there members who would want the caucus? Then I’ll call the caucus. Pero hindi ko pangungunahan,” he said.

Background on the senators
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and was the main implementer of Duterte’s controversial drug war. Go was Duterte’s personal aide and special assistant.

Minority bloc’s stance
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the minority bloc is drafting a resolution affirming that Philippine courts must be respected in any matters involving potential ICC arrest orders.

“Ang essence, ang spirit ng ating Constitution ay kung may problema, pwede kang tumakbo sa Philippine courts. So hindi naman pupwede na pag sinabi ng ICC o kahit anong international court na may arrest, dadamputin mo na lang dito, dadalhin mo sa ibang bansa… Sira ang ating constitutional framework and the concept of sovereignty kung ang ating local courts ay gagawin nilang powerless,” Cayetano said.

He stressed that allowing local courts to handle such matters first ensures human rights protections and maintains Philippine sovereignty.

Duterte case update
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in the Philippines on March 11, 2025, following an ICC-issued warrant, and is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, pending confirmation of charges over alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Hearings for his case are scheduled from February 23 to 27, 2026.