Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday blasted what she described as a “malaking kabulastugan” (utter nonsense) surrounding reports of an alleged arrest warrant supposedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying the public is being “deliberately misled and frightened.”

“Talagang isang malaking kabulastugan ang pinagsasabi nila na may balita na may warrant na narinig nila na may kopya na hindi maipakita pero sinentensyahan na kung anong gagawin. Ano bang kalokohan yan?” Marcos told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English.

“Kung may warrant, ilabas. Kung walang warrant, tumahimik na kayo. Tantanan ninyo kami.”

Marcos took aim at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies allegedly “eager to resurrect” what she called an “illegal mechanism” that could lead to the surrender of Filipino citizens to foreign tribunals.

“The DOJ is so eager to resurrect the same illegal mechanism it utilized against the former President Rodrigo Duterte,” she said. “Before any Philippine authority can surrender or extradite, it must first have lawful custody of that individual.”

She added that the supposed moves to arrest or surrender Dela Rosa without a clear legal basis are “plain harassment.”

“It does not grant authority to arrest any person na walang warrant, naku naman talaga kayo, ginugulo lang ninyo kami at talagang nililinlang ang mga Pilipino. Pananakot na klarong-klaro ito.”

‘Delivering a Filipino to foreigners’

Marcos also expressed alarm at what she sees as a violation of Philippine sovereignty if local authorities act on a foreign order.

“Delivering a Filipino citizen to a foreign tribunal – bakit tayo papayag? Isuko ang Pilipino sa mga dayuhan?” she said.

She noted that Dela Rosa’s wife, Nancy Dela Rosa, has been “fearful and anxious,” appealing for fairness and due process.

“Si Nancy, sanay na sanay yan, talagang asawa ng pulis. Pero ganun pa man, takot na takot. At kabang-kaba, nananawagan na kahit pa pano may due process, may hustisya, may soberanya ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

When asked about Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, Marcos replied that she chose not to ask. “Hindi ko na tinatanong, mas maigi na. Hindi naman sasabihin at ayoko rin malaman,” she said, adding that she is willing to extend help to ensure fairness, not impunity.

“Tutulungan natin si Bato – hindi para makaligtas kung siya ay may sala, kundi para maging makatarungan ang mga proseso. Huwag itong nangyari kay Presidente Duterte maulit ulit.”