NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
SC Gives Gov't 72 Hours To Respond To Bato Petition
FILE
The Supreme Court has ordered government agencies to answer within 72 hours the petition filed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa questioning efforts to arrest and possibly surrender him to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a press briefer released Wednesday, the SC En Banc said it discussed dela Rosa’s petition during a special session on May 13. The Court, however, did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) at this time.
Dela Rosa asked the High Court to stop government agencies from arresting, detaining, or surrendering him to the ICC without prior approval from a Philippine court.
The petition also questioned the legality of a subpoena issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which directed him to appear at Camp Crame in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings during his time as Davao City police director.
The Supreme Court also noted a supplemental filing from dela Rosa claiming that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to block him from entering the Senate complex earlier this week.
Instead of immediately granting the senator’s request, the Court directed the respondents to file their comments within 72 hours from notice. The SC also ordered them to address whether the urgent relief sought by dela Rosa should already be granted.
The development comes amid rising tensions surrounding reports of a possible ICC arrest warrant against dela Rosa over allegations tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
As of now, the Supreme Court has not ruled on the merits of the petition and has not issued any order stopping authorities from carrying out possible actions against the senator.
In a press briefer released Wednesday, the SC En Banc said it discussed dela Rosa’s petition during a special session on May 13. The Court, however, did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) at this time.
Dela Rosa asked the High Court to stop government agencies from arresting, detaining, or surrendering him to the ICC without prior approval from a Philippine court.
The petition also questioned the legality of a subpoena issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which directed him to appear at Camp Crame in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings during his time as Davao City police director.
The Supreme Court also noted a supplemental filing from dela Rosa claiming that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to block him from entering the Senate complex earlier this week.
Instead of immediately granting the senator’s request, the Court directed the respondents to file their comments within 72 hours from notice. The SC also ordered them to address whether the urgent relief sought by dela Rosa should already be granted.
The development comes amid rising tensions surrounding reports of a possible ICC arrest warrant against dela Rosa over allegations tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
As of now, the Supreme Court has not ruled on the merits of the petition and has not issued any order stopping authorities from carrying out possible actions against the senator.
May 13, 2026
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