Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Wednesday expressed frustration with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to hand over former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“That's a very flimsy alibi for me. That only goes to show talaga sila interesado na i-commit si dating president Duterte sa ICC (that they are really interested to commit former President Duterte to the ICC),” he said. 

Dela Rosa stressed the Philippine President can “reject outright” the Interpol Notice.

“President ka na Pilipinas, you can reject outright. Kaya mo naman sabihin na: ‘Sorry we have commitment sa inyo, pero at this time, hindi namin kayo pwede magbigyan.’ We do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC sa aming bansa. Maiintidihan din naman ‘yan ang Interpol,” he said. 

Dela Rosa criticized the government’s eagerness to immediately hand over the former President to the ICC without going through the local courts.

“Masyado silang atat na atat (They too eager). Then it goes to show na sila talaga ang interasado na mahuli ang dating Pangulo. Huwag nilang gawin rason ‘yung Interpol Notice na ‘yan napakababaw,” he said. 

Dela Rosa added, “It was still vivid to my memory when he told me—when we talked at Malacañan na never siyang makipag-cooperate sa ICC.”

“I’m feeling betrayed. Betrayal to the max!”

He also debunked claims that the former President sought asylum from Chinese President Xi Jinping when he flew to Hong Kong.

“Sinong gumawa ng istorya na Iyan? That’s a total lie! Fake news ‘yan. Pagod na talaga ‘yung tao. Pinilit Niya lang bumyahe dahil nga concern sa aming partido, para maikampanya kami. That’s very fabricated and a total lie,” Dela Rosa said.