Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa

How can Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa feel "betrayed" by President Marcos if he hasn't acted like his ally in the past?

House Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun raised this question following  Dela Rosa’s declaration that he felt betrayed when the Marcos administration allowed former president Duterte's arrest by the International Police (Interpol) last Tuesday, March 11.

Interpol's action led to Duterte being flown to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague in the Netherlands to face a charge of crimes against humanity.

“Naiintindihan naman naming kung saan nanggagaling si Senator Bato, pero lagi nating tatandaan, masasakit din naman ‘yung mga binitawang salita ng former president at saka ni Senator Bato dela Rosa laban kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” Khonghun said.

(I understand where Senator Bato is coming from, but always remember this: the former president and Senator Bato dela Rosa have said harsh words to President Bongbong Marcos.)

According to.Dela Rosa, President Marcos had previously vowed not to cooperate with the ICC when it comes to Duterte's case. But Marcos had made a distinction between the ICC and the Interpol, which served the arrest warrant against the former chief executive.

“Pero kailangan niyang harapin yung kaso (But he needs to face the case)," Khonghun said of Duterte.

"We are a country that works by certain rules at talagang kailangan nating harapin yung mga kaso na fina-file sa atin at walang exempted doon (we really need to face the charges that were filed against us and nobody is exempted),” he added.

Dela Rosa and Duterte--along with the latter’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte--have been staunch administration critics these past few months.

Regarding Marcos' supposed vow not to cooperate with the ICC, Khonghun said he couldn't recall any.

“Wala akong maalala. Tsaka ang dapat nating isipin, katulad nga ng sinabi ng ating Pangulo, hindi naman tayo nakipag-cooperate sa ICC. Ang ating responsibilidad, obligasyon sa Interpol, yun ang ating ginampanan,” he said.

(I don't remember. And like what the President said, what we should keep in mind is that we didn't cooperate with the ICC. What we fulfilled was our responsibility and obligation to the Intepol.)