According to a report by RH Val Gonzales on DZRH's Operation Tulong, De Lima said the circumstances surrounding the senator’s supposed departure from protective custody inside the Senate raise serious questions that cannot be properly addressed through an internal inquiry alone. She urged the creation of an independent investigating body composed of retired members of the judiciary and former senators to ensure impartiality.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakagigil. There has to be an investigation, kailangan may imbestigasyon sa mga pangyayari noong nakaraang dalawa o tatlong araw sa Senado, dahil nakakabahala it’s very concerning na hindi dapat ‘yan nangyayari sa isang institusyon like the Senate,” de Lima told reporters as she attended preliminary proceedings at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office in connection with complaints filed by Atty. Mans Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The lawmaker stressed that the Senate should not investigate itself due to its direct involvement in the matter, including the granting of protective custody.

“It has to be an independent investigation hindi pwedeng internal o hindi pwedeng ang Senado mismo ang mag-imbestiga kasi meron din dito sila na mga ginawa... lalo na ‘yung pagbigay kuno na protective custody,“ she added.

She questioned how Dela Rosa, who was under Senate protection, was able to leave the premises if such custody was indeed in effect.

“‘Yun na nga kung binigyan ng protective custody, bakit nakawala?” she pointed out.

“Ang daming mga tanong na dapat sagutin sa isang tunay, isang independent na investigation. It has to be by a body na wala diyan dapat sa Senado ang imbestigasyon,” she added.

De Lima also said the House of Representatives may take legislative or investigative action if necessary to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the incident.

The remarks came amid a reported shooting incident inside the Senate on Wednesday evening, May 13, coinciding with the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the senator.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the ICC over allegations of crimes against humanity, linked to his role as a key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Separately, de Lima, together with Akbayan Party-list Reps. Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña, attended preliminary proceedings at the QC Prosecutor’s Office in connection with complaints filed by Carpio.

The complaints stem from allegations involving the disclosure of bank records during House committee proceedings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, raising potential violations of the Bank Secrecy Law, Data Privacy Act, and Anti-Money Laundering Act.