Bato slams Bongbong's ICC alibi

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa criticized President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s explanation regarding the potential arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dela Rosa called Marcos' statements a "flimsy alibi" and accused the administration of being overly interested in handing Duterte over to the ICC.

He asserted that the Philippine President has the authority to reject cooperation with Interpol concerning ICC matters.

The senator argued that Marcos could have stated that the Philippines does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction within the country.

Dela Rosa believes the government is too eager to turn Duterte over without exhausting local legal processes.

However, House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun questioned Dela Rosa's feeling of betrayal, pointing out that Duterte and Dela Rosa themselves have made harsh statements against President Marcos.

Dela Rosa's feeling of betrayal stemmed from President Marcos' alleged vow not to cooperate with the ICC, but Marcos distinguished between the ICC and Interpol, which served the arrest warrant.