Senator Robin Padilla defended Senator Bato dela Rosa amid criticism over his absence from Senate sessions, saying the lawmaker should still be allowed to perform his duties through online participation while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a statement, Padilla said Dela Rosa’s absence was not because he refused to work as senator but because of fears that he could be arrested and flown to a foreign country.
“Si Bato ay wanted ng ICC, hindi niya gusto na hindi siya pumapasok. Malayong magkaiba ‘yun,” Padilla said.
Padilla stressed that Dela Rosa has one of the strongest attendance records in the Senate and remains committed to serving the public.
“Hindi maipagkakaila sa talaan sa Senado na si Senator Ronald dela Rosa ang isa sa pinakamasipag na naging senador sa usapin lalo ng attendance,” he said.
The senator argued that Dela Rosa should still be allowed to perform his mandate online because he was elected by millions of Filipinos.
“Iniluklok siya ng taongbayan na maging senador, hayaan natin siyang magtrabaho para sa taongbayan sa pamamagitan ng online,” Padilla added.
Padilla also invoked former US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the ICC.
“Pangulo na nga ng Estados Unidos de America Donald Trump ang nagsabi, ang International Criminal Court ay isang ilitimo at may motibong politikal na burukrasya,” Padilla said.
He added that Trump had repeatedly described the ICC as “illegal” or “without basis” and accused the tribunal of threatening national sovereignty.
Padilla further stressed that Dela Rosa remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“Ang isang tao ay itinuturing na walang sala hangga’t hindi napatutunayang nagkasala. Ito ang pangunahing prinsipyo ng batas na kilala sa Ingles bilang ‘presumption of innocence,’” he said.
The senator also appealed to the public not to be misled by political noise surrounding the issue.
“Wag natin gulohin ang mga Pilipino. Mas marami ang bumoto sa kanya para manungkulan. Gamitin ang technology para magampanan niya ito,” Padilla said.
