Lacson: Local courts must be respected in any move vs Bato

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa should be allowed to seek legal remedies before Philippine courts in case authorities move to arrest and surrender him to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Lacson said any arrest should first pass through a local court, even if its role would be largely ministerial, to ensure that dela Rosa is given due process.

“That’s part of due process, kung mahuli siya, dinala sa local court, nasa custody siya ng local court pwede siyang dumulog hanggang sa Supreme Court tapos finally (SC ang) magde-decide kasi sila ang final arbiter mag-interpret ng batas,” he said in a DZMM radio interview.

Lacson cited Republic Act 9851 and the Constitution, which provide safeguards for Filipinos facing criminal proceedings and protect them against arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

The senator also said even subpoenas and summonses issued by foreign or international courts should pass through Philippine courts.IMT