Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Imee Marcos are unfazed by House resolutions urging the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on illegal drugs.

House Resolution 1477, filed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante and 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, calls on government agencies and departments concerned "to extend their full cooperation to the ICC Prosecutor with respect to its investigation into any alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC."

HR 1477 is the second resolution filed in the lower chamber after Makabayan bloc lawmakers — Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel — filed HR 1393 for the same purpose.

Dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration, said: "If the House of Representatives approves that resolution, it will remain a resolution unless acted upon favorably by the President who has made clear his decision not to allow ICC to intrude on our sovereignty."

"These government agencies take orders from the President and not from Congress," he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos lambasted individuals advancing their political interests for the next elections.

"Those behind this have been very active in doing a show in the recent three or four weeks. I hope they feel pity for the Philippines," she told reporters in a chance interview.

She added: "We have so many problems. I hope they feel pity for the administration, they feel pity for the Filipinos who are struggling to survive amid the higher cost of commodities. Not to mention that Christmas is coming, too."

'Working perfectly'

Marcos questioned the motive of the lawmakers behind the House resolution.

"Who are the lawmakers pushing for foreign interference in our justice system? Why are they intent on subjugating the independent Philippine judicial system to foreign entities?" she said.

She reiterated that the Philippine judicial system was "working perfectly," giving the release of former senator Leila de Lima from almost seven years of detention as an example.

"It's a big shame for the Philippines if they would allow the entry of the ICC. We should not let it happen. It is like we already surrendered our sovereignty," she said.

"We are no longer a republic if we rely on them. Our courts are very strong. Senator De Lima was even released. Isn't that proof that our courts and justice system are working?" she added.

The presidential sister said her brother would not allow the entry of the ICC in the Philippines.

"The question of cooperating with the ICC has been asked of the President many times, and he has consistently said that our courts will not be rendered subordinate to the ICC, and that we are a sovereign nation with its own system of justice," she said.

"Let's stand our ground, as the President has done many, many times," she added.

In February, Duterte's allies in the Senate filed a resolution defending the previous administration's war on illegal drugs against investigation by the Hague-based ICC.

Senate Resolution 488, filed by Senator Robinhood Padilla, sought "to declare an unequivocal defense of Duterte in any investigation or prosecution by the ICC."

In March, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines "essentially disengaged" with the ICC, following the rejection by the international court of the government's plea to suspend its probe into Duterte's anti-drug war.