Lacson: Respect PH courts, not shielding Bato, Bong Go

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson clarified he is defending the Constitution—not Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go—amid possible arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“To those who criticize my opinion… what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, not Senators Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go,” said Lacson.

He stressed any ICC warrant must first pass through local courts, citing constitutional protection against unlawful arrest. 

Lacson added that only the Supreme Court can interpret the provision and said the Senate may tackle possible options this week, with its lawyers reviewing legal remedies.

Last Saturday, Lacson said dela Rosa and Go should be allowed to exhaust all legal remedies, insisting “our local courts and processes must be respected.” 

He also maintained that any arrest warrant from the ICC or a foreign tribunal should secure a corresponding order from a Philippine court before enforcement.IMT