Five senators have signed a resolution calling on Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender to authorities and to seek judicial remedies in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws and rules.

Senators who signed Senate Resolution No. 395 included former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former Senate president pro tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV, and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

The five authors of the resolution pointed out that the Senate has “historically respected judicial and prosecutorial processes” involving its own members and former officials, citing the voluntary actions and judicial submission of the late former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, the legal remedies and court proceedings by former senator and now Rep. Leila De Lima and the judicial recourse undertaken by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

“Whereas, Article II, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that ‘The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,’ thereby, requiring all public officials and institutions to remain accountable under the law,” the senators stated in the resolution.

The senators also cited Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution which declares that "Public office is a public trust," and that public officers and employees should, at all times, “be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

“Article III of the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees due process of law and the equal protection of the laws, while likewise recognizing that no person shall be deprived of liberty except through lawful procedures established by law,” they stated.

“Whereas, Article VIII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution vests judicial power in the courts, including the duty to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether there has been grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of government,” they also said.

While it can grant legislative powers and institutional privileges to Congress, Article VI of the Constitution does not authorize the Senate to provide sanctuary, immunity from arrest, or so-called "protective custody" to any member beyond the constitutionally recognized parliamentary immunities expressly provided.

“Whereas, adherence to lawful processes and voluntary submission to judicial authority strengthen democratic institutions, reinforce constitutional accountability and uphold the principle that no public official is above the law,” the group said.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, to urge Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender to the proper authorities and seek judicial remedies in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws and rules,” the resolution stated.

The five senators also urged the Senate to affirm its commitment to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the principle that accountability applies equally to all public officials, regardless of rank or position.

The resolution also asks the Senate to reiterate that it possesses no constitutional 

or statutory authority to provide “protective custody” or sanctuary from lawful arrest, surrender, or judicial processes.

The resolution also sought that copies of the resolution be sent to the Senate President, the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies for their information and appropriate action.