NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
SC Rejects Bato's TRO Plea Over Possible ICC Arrest
Photo credit: SC
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has denied Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order and status quo ante order against a possible arrest tied to the International Criminal Court.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the En Banc voted 9-5-1 to reject Dela Rosa’s prayer for interim relief in the case filed together with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The petition sought to stop several government agencies from carrying out any possible arrest based on an ICC warrant, an Interpol red notice or diffusion, or any foreign judicial or quasi-judicial order without a warrant issued by a Philippine court.
Among the agencies named in the request were the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
According to the Supreme Court, the ruling only covers the request for interim relief and does not yet settle the main issues raised in the petition.
The high court also announced that the full resolution, along with separate concurring and dissenting opinions from the justices, will be uploaded to the court’s official website on May 25, 2026.
The development comes as discussions continue over the Philippines’ legal obligations and possible cooperation with the International Criminal Court regarding its investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the En Banc voted 9-5-1 to reject Dela Rosa’s prayer for interim relief in the case filed together with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The petition sought to stop several government agencies from carrying out any possible arrest based on an ICC warrant, an Interpol red notice or diffusion, or any foreign judicial or quasi-judicial order without a warrant issued by a Philippine court.
Among the agencies named in the request were the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
According to the Supreme Court, the ruling only covers the request for interim relief and does not yet settle the main issues raised in the petition.
The high court also announced that the full resolution, along with separate concurring and dissenting opinions from the justices, will be uploaded to the court’s official website on May 25, 2026.
The development comes as discussions continue over the Philippines’ legal obligations and possible cooperation with the International Criminal Court regarding its investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
May 20, 2026
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