Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa yesterday questioned the timing of the filing of House Resolutions that called on the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in investigating the campaign against illegal drugs waged by the Duterte administration.

As Philippine National Police chief in 2016, Dela Rosa led the "Oplan Tokhang" anti-narcotics campaign of then-President Rodrigo Duterte, which ultimately ended with the deaths of about 7,000 people.

Way higher estimates from 20,000 to 30,000 people killed during the Duterte government's "war on drugs" had been claimed by his detractors.

"Just like other Filipinos, I am also wondering why it took them one and a half years to realize that we should really investigate it, that we should allow the ICC investigation," he said.

He added: "Just when there is a misunderstanding between the House and the Dutertes, why are these resolutions coming in?"

Impeach noise

Duterte is accused of committing crimes against humanity before the ICC.

The resolutions came as the House under Speaker Martin Romualdez reportedly planned to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president's daughter.

Earlier, the House removed the P650-million confidential funds from the budget of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which the VP also heads.

The former president, in reaction to the realignment of the OVP's and DepEd's confidential funds to agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard, criticized the House as the most corrupt arm of the government.

Dela Rosa expressed confidence that Marcos Jr. would not allow the ICC to "interfere" in the country's justice system.

"He (Marcos) was very clear when he said that they should not meddle in our affairs. He would not allow them to dictate upon us," he added.

Last week, Marcos said his administration is looking into the country's possible return to the ICC. "Should we return under the fold of the ICC? So that is again under study. So, we'll just keep looking at it and see what our options are," he said.

The ICC resolutions would not be accorded top priority, said House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, who chairs the House Committee on Rules which shepherds the referral of bills and resolutions.

He maintained that there are no orders from the leadership to give House Resolution 1477 and the like special attention.