MANILA — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he and his legal team will exhaust all available legal remedies to prevent his arrest in connection with a case filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“We will exhaust all available means, legal means kailangang gawin natin lahat para hindi nila tayo madala doon sa The Hague,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

“Sino bang Pilipino na gustong litisin sa ibang bansa?” he added.

In a report, Dela Rosa said his camp has filed a new manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking judicial protection and that they are awaiting the court’s decision.

In a statement on Monday, the Law Firm of Torreon and Partners said it had filed an urgent manifestation with omnibus motion asking for guidance on the legal effect of an ICC arrest warrant.

“As usual, a-attend ako ng session and wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court sa mga petition na pinadala namin dun,” Dela Rosa said.

He added that if a lower court issues an arrest warrant, his camp would elevate the matter to the Supreme Court.

“I hope and pray (that a temporary restraining order will be issued by the SC and if there is an arrest warrant from a lower court) ang proseso naman ay hindi lang sa lower court nag-a-appeal, puwedeng umakyat sa taas kaya inunahan na namin sa SC. Hintayin natin ang desisyon ng SC,” he said.

The senator also said he intends to remain inside the Senate.

“Dito lang ako, hindi ako aalis,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he has been staying at the office of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, adding in jest that the room had better accommodations.

“Mas maganda ang kuwarto niya, mas maraming pagkain,” he said, although he noted he has not been eating or sleeping well.

“Dalawang subo lang, parang hangin ang laman ng tiyan ko. ‘Yung utak mo gumagana kahit na natutulog,” he added.

Asked where he had been, Dela Rosa said he remained in the country.

“Anywhere in the Philippines. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. Basta I didn’t leave the Philippines. mahal ko ang Pilipinas. I will live and die in this country.”

He also said he did not claim his Senate salary during the period he was away.

“Nahihiya na ako sa taumbayan na naghahanap sa akin kahit na hindi ko kini-claim ang sweldo ko. I have to show up. Na-claim ng staff ko pero hindi ko nakuha. Sabi ko sa staff ko gamitin n’yo dyan sa kawang-gawa para umabot sa taumbayan ang pera na ‘yan,” he said.

Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions since Nov. 11, 2025, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla reportedly said the ICC had issued a warrant of arrest against him in connection with the drug war killings.

He also appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to allow Filipinos to be brought before foreign courts.

“Sir, BBM, di ako galit sa’yo at alam kong wala kang personal na galit sa akin. Ako ngayon ay umaapela sa’yo, alagaan mo ang bawat Filipino na di hindi madala sa ibang bansa…,” he said, adding it was the President’s “moral obligation” to protect Filipinos.

Dela Rosa appeared in the Senate on Monday, where he was among those who voted in the change of Senate leadership from Senator Vicente Sotto III to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Reports said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to serve the ICC arrest warrant inside the Senate premises, prompting a standoff.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV later showed media a copy of the ICC warrant, which he said had been transmitted to the PCTC.

The ICC has confirmed issuing an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in connection with alleged crimes linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Following the incident, the Senate placed Dela Rosa under its protective custody, while Senate leadership said he would not be arrested inside the chamber.