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Emmanuel Tupas - The Philippine Star
December 13, 2025 | 12:00am
Sen. Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa
Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa office
MANILA, Philippines — As it wants to be steps ahead in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) orders the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has tapped local authorities in tracking the lawmaker’s whereabouts.
DILG Undersecretary for public affairs and communications Donnie Puno said yesterday it would help the government if officials at the local level are also monitoring Dela Rosa’s movements.
Following reports that there is already a warrant for Dela Rosa from the ICC, Puno said they just want to be steps ahead and aware of where he is hiding. He also pointed out that they are not yet considering the senator a fugitive.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said they have monitored Dela Rosa in six places over the past three weeks, adding they are aware of the senator’s location.
His brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, said there is already an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa but the ICC has yet to issue an official announcement.
When word of the reported ICC warrant broke out, Dela Rosa has skipped Senate sessions since Nov. 11.
Dela Rosa was former president Rodrigo Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief and enforcer of his war on drugs that left thousands of drug suspects dead in alleged armed encounters and extrajudicial killings.
Will Bato attend budget bicam?
Meanwhile, people will be on the lookout for Dela Rosa, who – as Senate finance committee vice chair – is part of the conferees for today’s start of the 2026 bicameral conference committee meetings on the 2026 national budget.
Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday said that he is still hoping Dela Rosa would appear in today’s start of the bicam.
“He did not resign as Senate finance vice chair. Unless he resigns, the rule is a vice chair is automatically a conferee,” Gatchalian said in a Zoom briefing. “I’m hoping he appears at the bicam as conferee.” — Marc Jayson Cayabyab
