Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Thursday, July 17, called the latest issue hurled against him regarding his possible arrest through an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) a diversionary tactic by people from Malacañang.

This was after a report came out wherein Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that dela Rosa would receive the same treatment as former President Rodrigo Duterte if the ICC issues a warrant in relation to the previous administration's drug war.

"Kapag may mga mainit na issues na pinupukol sa Malacanang, ngayon pinag-uusapan na naman tungkol yung nangyari kay First Lady. Ngayon gagawa na naman sila ng issue about the ICC and the Senator para to divert the issue, yan man ang mahilig ng mga tao dyan sa Malacanang (When hot issues are being thrown at Malacañang—like now, people are again talking about what happened with the First Lady—they create another issue about the ICC and the Senator to divert attention; that’s what the people in Malacañang are fond of doing)," he told reporters in a phone interview.

"Gagawa ng panibagong issue, kahit na old issue na, rehashed issue, ay i-recycle nila para lang to divert the people's attention. Iyan ang mahilig na nilang gawin (They create a new issue—even if it’s an old or rehashed one—they’ll recycle it just to divert the people’s attention. That’s what they’ve gotten used to doing)," he added.

Dela Rosa was referring to claims linking First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to the death of businessman Paolo Tantoco.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro specifically branded the police report circulating online as a "lie" and "fake document."

But in reaction to Bersamin's statement, dela Rosa said that they're free to do what they want and even said tongue in cheek, "I'll cross the bridge when the bridge is constructed."

He maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country, adding that he has no idea if there's already an ICC warrant issued against him.

"If they want to commit the same mistake again, then go ahead. They can do that. If they want to make another mistake, yung ginawa nila kay Pangulong Duterte, napakalaking mistake yun (what they did to President Duterte, that's a big mistake). At kung gagawin na (If they will do that), willing to do the same mistake again, then they can do the same," he added.

He reiterated that this ICC statement from Bersamin was made as a cover-up for the First Lady's issue and to divert the public's attention.

"Kasi naman, bakit nila pag-usapan yan na matagal naman na issue yan, na nabibingi ang tao sa kakaulit-ulit ng issue na yan, wala pa rin naman palang warrant na sinasabi nils, if lang naman daw," the former top cop said, stating the word "if" multiple times.

"So, para papag-usapan na naman, madivert na naman ng issue dyan na palayo kay yung issue kinasangkutan ni First Lady. Meron naman silang, meron naman pag-usapan ng taumbayan," he added.

Asked regarding his plans should the warrant be issued by the ICC, dela Rosa refused to answer. In his previous statements, the Mindanaoan lawmaker stated that he would resort to hiding if this happens or ask for help from Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, by seeking refuge in the Senate.

"If you are facing a government that is not observing, is not trying to preserve its sovereignty, then I don't have to answer that question," he said.

"Kung meron akong (If I do have) preparations, why do I have to tell you? The preparation is mine alone," he added.