Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa lauded Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra for his decision not to represent the Philippine government in the petitions filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s children before the Supreme Court.
“Mabuti pa itong Solicitor General alam nila ang kanilang trabaho. Mabuhay po kayo SolGen Guevarra et. al for refusing to defend this abusive government (It's good that this Solicitor General knows his job. Long live SolGen Guevarra and others for refusing to defend this abusive government),” Dela Rosa said.
The country’s Solicitor General, the government’s chief lawyer, recused or inhibited from participating in the three habeas corpus petitions that challenged before the Supreme Court (SC) the arrest, detention, and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The Mindanaoan lawmaker shared the view of former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo who pointed out that Gueverra’s move is another way of saying that the arrest of the former president is “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Guevarra has served as the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the administration of Duterte.
Dela Rosa has been calling for the return of Duterte to the Philippines, emphasizing that the arrest of the former president is illegal.
The reelectionist senator maintained that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines as the country already withdrew from the Rome Statute.
Dela Rosa also warned the public against trolls sowing intrigue against the allies and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte amid movements calling for his return.
“Don’t be fooled by the trolls unleashed by our enemies and some attention-seeking individuals who are using the divide and rule tactics by sowing intrigues to create distrust within our ranks. Let’s remain solid on bringing him back home!” Dela Rosa posted on his Facebook account.