'Di ako aalis': Dela Rosa to exhaust legal remedies to avoid The Hague
By Dhel Nazario
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said on Tuesday, May 12, that he would exhaust all available legal remedies to avoid being brought to The Hague in the Netherlands to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa (Senate of the Philippines photo)
“We will exhaust all available means, legal means. Kailangan gawin natin lahat para hindi na tayo madala doon sa The Hague (We need to do everything so that we will no longer be taken to The Hague),” Dela Rosa told reporters.
The senator stayed overnight in the Senate after making a surprise return during Monday's plenary session, just in time for the change in leadership with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano replacing Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
Clad in slippers, a plain shirt, and shorts, dela Rosa told reporters that he was able to get some sleep.
“Nakatulog rin kahit papaano (I was able to get some sleep)," he said.
An injured and angry dela Rosa showed up on the plenary floor, claiming that he wrestled his way into the room after he was chased by members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Footage was later released during the session.
Dela Rosa said that he would continue attending Senate sessions while awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling on petitions his camp filed.
Asked whether he was hoping the Supreme Court would issue a temporary restraining order against the ICC arrest warrant, Dela Rosa replied: “I hope and pray.”
The senator confirmed that he would remain inside the Senate premises and had no plans to leave.
“Dito lang ako. Dito lang. Hindi ako aalis (I’m staying right here. I won’t leave.),” he said.
Asked if he would refuse to board a plane to the Netherlands under any circumstance, Dela Rosa questioned why any Filipino would want to be tried abroad.