Senate President Alan Peter S. Cayetano on Tuesday called for restraint and institutional stability as the upper chamber faces internal debate over a resolution urging Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender in connection with a reported International Criminal Court (ICC)-linked warrant.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Senate on May 13, Cayetano emphasized that legal processes must be fully respected before any enforcement action is taken, warning against what he described as premature political escalation.

“Senators, just like any individual, can exhaust and should be given the ability to exhaust all legal remedies,” Cayetano said, stressing that surrender should only follow once all judicial options are resolved.

Cayetano also pushed back against what he viewed as the politicization of the issue, saying the controversy risks distracting lawmakers from urgent national concerns.

“We’re trying to shift to the bigger picture—the economic, financial, social well-being of the country, not only the political,” he said, citing inflation, transport costs, healthcare delays, and logistics challenges as pressing issues requiring legislative attention.

He noted that the Senate majority has yet to finalize its position on the resolution, saying discussions will be held within the leadership bloc before any formal action is taken.

“Even if 24 signed, that doesn’t mean we will agenda it right away,” Cayetano said, referring to the process of calendaring measures for plenary consideration.

The Senate leader also appealed for a more “statesmanlike” approach among political actors, urging colleagues to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than public confrontation.

“Hindi na statesman-like eh… they could have talked to us, they could have talked to Senator Bato,” he said, adding that continued political friction only adds pressure to Senate personnel and security forces.

Cayetano maintained that the chamber remains focused on maintaining order while respecting legal rights, as it reviews reports surrounding the attempted service of a warrant and related security coordination inside the Senate.

The Senate leadership is expected to meet further in the coming days to determine its official stance on the resolution.