Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after he questioned whether members of the Marcos administration are “saints” following the arrest and transport of former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague.
According to Castro, there have only been two Filipino saints – Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Saint Pedro Calungsod – and she has not reached that status, nor does she aspire to.
“We haven't been included among them yet, and we know that; it seems like a long way off,” she said during a briefing on Monday.
Dela Rosa, a supporter of Duterte, initially questioned the legality of the arrest but later conceded that it was valid.
However, should an arrest warrant be issued for Dela Rosa, the senator said he would consider going into hiding to evade authorities.
Castro stated that Dela Rosa’s suggestion of going into hiding is not the best example, especially for a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“If he goes into hiding, it would not set a good example for Senator Bato, who was previously the PNP chief. That would not be a good model, as it might encourage people to hide when there is an arrest warrant,” she said.
Dela Rosa has not yet disclosed his whereabouts, despite granting interviews. He claims to still be in the country campaigning for re-election.
Under Duterte’s presidency, Dela Rosa commanded the PNP and was a key player in the administration’s war on drugs.