Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday, Nov. 11, said the majority bloc supports the pronouncement of Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III that law enforcement authorities should not carry out an arrest against a senator within the Upper Chamber's premises.

“We support — we in the majority support — the pronouncement of the Senate President na as long as he is in the premises, at least man lang yung courtesy na huwag gawin dito yung arrest (at least the courtesy not to conduct the arrest here),” Lacson said in an interview.

He said this amid the alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

Lacson, however, clarified that the Senate cannot serve as a permanent refuge for any lawmaker facing an arrest warrant, saying the Constitution sets clear limits on immunity from arrest.

“Kasi yung Constitution is very clear. First, kung less than six years yung penalty, may immunity from arrest when Congress is in session — yun ang mga limitations. Kaya kung hindi in session ang Congress, hindi maa-avail ang immunity from arrest. And yung six years or less (Because the Constitution is very clear. First, if the penalty is less than six years, there is immunity from arrest when Congress is in session — those are the limitations. So if Congress is not in session, that immunity from arrest cannot be invoked. And it only applies to offenses punishable by six years or less),” he explained.

He emphasized that if an arrest warrant were indeed issued against Dela Rosa by the ICC, the issue would eventually have to be addressed by the chamber.

“Well, if it comes to that, then we’ll have to tackle it, ano. And probably kanya pa ring call ‘yon. But he can’t stay in the Senate premises forever,” Lacson said.

“The Constitution, being the fundamental law of the land, will prevail, kasi very clear naman doon na hindi lahat ng alleged offenses, hindi lahat ng crimes, ay covered ng immunity from arrest — six years or less than six years lang ang penalty na involved (The Constitution, being the fundamental law of the land, will prevail, because it is very clear that not all alleged offenses or crimes are covered by immunity from arrest — only those with penalties of six years or less),” he added.

Lacson also said he has been trying to reach out to Dela Rosa to offer advice on how to face possible ICC proceedings, though he stressed that it was “not to help him hide,” but to guide him on how to go about the legal process.

“I was calling him, I believe, three days ago just to give some oral support being a former colleague or comrade in arms sa PNP. Pero he was not picking up, and the following morning, I noticed mayroon siyang missed call sa akin. I hope we can talk just to give him some advice, hindi para magtago kundi para (not to talk about hiding but) how to go about facing criminal charges,” Lacson said.

He added that while he once faced criminal charges before a local court, Dela Rosa’s case would be more complex since it involves the ICC.

“This time around, it’s more challenging for him kasi International Criminal Court,” he said.