Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said on Tuesday that Filipinos who voted for the official would understand him for choosing “self-preservation,” stressing that the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not guarantee the protections granted to suspects in our country.

“It is unfortunate that this is happening but I would like to believe na ‘yung bumoto po sa kanya at ‘yung umaasa sa kanya at nag-trust sa kanya understands that the first law of nature is self-preservation,” Torreon said during an interview on Balansyado.

The lawyer reiterated that the senator is willing to face any legitimate case lodged against him through a local court.

“Madali kasi sabihin na mag-file sila ng kaso. Mag-file sila ng kaso dito sa Pilipinas, haharapin namin, pramis,” he told the anchors.

Torreon said he was convinced Dela Rosa was still in the country, citing the difficulty of evading “tippers” and information merchants if he ever fled overseas.

“I would like to believe that he is in the country, kasi mahal na mahal niya ‘yung bansa natin,” he said.

However, he cannot confirm this, as the last time he heard from his client was the morning of May 14, about two hours before he departed from the Senate building. The fugitive senator had briefly resurfaced following a six-month absence on May 11, and is now in hiding once more.

“Honestly, wala kaming balita,” Torreon said.

Earlier today, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) denied that Dela Rosa had already been located and captured.