Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (left), Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino (Facebook)

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite--Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino says he is still willing to defend fellow reelectionist Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa at the International Criminal Court (ICC), if the latter wants to avail of his services.

In a press conference here Friday, March 21, Tolentino, a lawyer, acknowledged that he offered to represent Dela Rosa at the ICC two to three years ago.

"Pero may mga lumabas na statements last year na diumano ay pinalitan na ako ni Senator Bato parang ang kinuha na niyang abogado ay si Atty. Harry Roque (But reports came out last year that Senator Bato has replaced me with Atty. Harry Roque)," he said.

Reports are rife that the United Nations (UN)-backed ICC would soon issue an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, who in 2016 served as Philippine National Police (PNP) under then-president Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte is already being detained and tried by the ICC in the Netherlands. His arrest warrant was served by the International Police (Interpol) in Manila last March 11.

Duterte and Dela are both facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection the previous administration's bloody war on drugs.

"Hindi pa rin kami ulit nagkakausap kahit sa text ni Senator Dela Rosa subalit kung siya ay kukuha ng personal kong legal advice ay nananatili namang bukas po ‘yong aking cellphone sa kanyang tawag," Tolentino said.

(Senator Dela Rosa and I have yet to talk again even through text, but if he wants to get my personal legal advice then my cellphone is always open to his call.)

"Pero wala pa ho akong natatawag kahit isang segundo sa kanya simula po nangyari ‘yong March 11," he noted.

(But I've yet to call him even for one second since what happened on March 11.)

Dela Rosa publicly said that he would go into hiding if and when the ICC issues the arrest warrant against him.