MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC), on Tuesday, November 18, denied the very urgent motion filed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa seeking to compel Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to submit the supposed International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the senator.

“Acting on these submissions, the SC denied the Very Urgent Motion seeking to compel the production of the alleged ICC warrant. It directed respondents to comment on the Very Urgent Manifestation, through personal service and filing, within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from notice,” the High Court said.

On November 13, Dela Rosa filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with the SC to request the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against his reported impending arrest.

In his very urgent motion, he wanted Remulla to submit a copy of the alleged ICC warrant.

In a separate very urgent manifestation, the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief — who was the first to implement former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war that killed nearly 30,000, according to human rights groups — wanted the Marcos government to:

• Refrain from transmitting any ICC-related communication correspondence pending final resolution of the case
• Avoid enforcing the ICC warrant, red notice, or surrender request against him
• Avoid extending any form of assistance to ICC witnesses.

The SC only junked the very urgent motion, but not the very urgent manifestation.

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ICC warrant out vs Bato dela Rosa?

On November 8, the former Department of Justice secretary said the ICC had already issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa over his involvement in the war on drugs.

ICC-accredited lawyer Kristina Conti said there had been an amendment to ICC rules, requiring that all warrant requests should be filed by the prosecutor as “secret.” – Rappler.com