Padilla defends Bato, rejects ICC authority in DOJ filing

Senator Robinhood Padilla firmly defended Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s refusal to surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the body a foreign tribunal with no jurisdiction over Filipino citizens.

Speaking to reporters at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Padilla expressed strong opposition to foreign interference in local legal matters.

“Even if it's the ICC, I wouldn't surrender either. Why would I surrender to them? That is Bato's right,” Padilla said.

“Surrender to whom, a foreigner? No way. I haven’t seen any local arrest warrant; no local court is looking for him. This is a foreign body.”

Visibly impassioned during the interview, the senator later quipped, “Oh my, I think my blood pressure just went up.”

Padilla was at the DOJ to submit his counter-affidavit regarding an obstruction of justice complaint filed against him and several other respondents.

The complaint stems from a 13 May 2026 incident at the Senate premises, where agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) attempted to serve an ICC-issued arrest warrant against Senator Dela Rosa.

The operation led to a tense standoff and confrontation between the NBI agents and personnel from the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Authorities subsequently accused Padilla and other respondents of actively helping Dela Rosa evade arrest during the altercation.

The allegations are currently undergoing a preliminary investigation by the DOJ to determine if formal charges will be filed in court.