Palace denies using ICC warrant issue as diversion

Malacañang refuted Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa's claim that the Palace is using reports of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him as a diversionary tactic.

Palace press officer Claire Castro stated that the potential ICC arrest warrant is not an old issue, as it is periodically raised and the ICC case remains pending.

Castro questioned who is truly resurfacing old issues, referencing Dela Rosa's previous claims about an investigation into allegedly leaked PDEA dossiers.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Kyodo news that Dela Rosa may be arrested by Philippine authorities if the ICC issues a warrant and if there is an Interpol notice, receiving similar treatment to former President Duterte who was arrested by police and turned over to the Interpol in March.

The Palace official emphasized that the issue linking the First Lady to the death of businessman Paolo Tantoco was raised by propagandists and obstructionists, not the Palace.