Senator Risa Hontiveros clarified on Wednesday, February 18, that senators may be arrested under Philippine law, particularly if the alleged offense carries a penalty of more than six years of imprisonment and the Senate is not in session.
Speaking at a press conference on February 18, Hontiveros addressed questions surrounding the possible implementation of arrest warrants, including those that may be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Sa batas, pwedeng arestuhin ang senador. Basta't hindi covered ng mas mababa sa anim na taong pagkaka-bilanggo bilang parusa at basta't hindi in session ang Senado,” Hontiveros said.
She noted that her earlier remarks, along with those of Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, referred to a long-standing tradition in the Senate that members are not arrested within the Senate premises while it is in session.
“Ang sinasabi lang po namin ni Senate President [Vicente Sotto III] ay ang naging tradisyon ay hindi inaaresto ang senador dito habang may sesyon,” she explained, adding that any confusion regarding the practice may be discussed in an upcoming Senate caucus.
Hontiveros emphasized that while institutional dignity is important, accountability remains the highest consideration.
“Inuulit ko po, ang pinakamataas na konsiderasyon ay accountability,” she said. “Consistently, mula sa simula, ako'y nananawagan at naninindigan para sa accountability sa ganitong mga kaso man ng extrajudicial killings, crimes against humanity, o kahit korapsyon.”
She also expressed confidence that law enforcement authorities would perform their duties in accordance with the law in such situations.
When asked about the view of Sen. Panfilo Lacson that a local court order may be necessary to implement any ICC warrant, particularly in light of reports naming Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go in ICC correspondence, Hontiveros said the matter would likely be taken up in caucus.
“Bilang miyembro ng Senado, importante sa akin siyempre yung dignidad ng Senado bilang institusyon,” she said.
“Sa lahat ng mga ganitong issue, ang pinakamataas na konsiderasyon, pinakamataas sa lahat ay yung accountability.”
Pressed for her personal position, Hontiveros reiterated that the law allows the arrest of senators if the alleged crime carries a penalty of more than six years of imprisonment and if the Senate is not in session.
“Ayon sa batas, kung hindi kami in session at kung yung ina-allege na krimen ay above six years of imprisonment kung ma-convict, pwede kaming arestuhin,” she said.
She added that the caucus would be convened urgently, pending final word from Senate leadership.
“Iniintay ko yung final word from the leadership pero urgent matter ito. So oras na mag-imbita sa caucus, I'm sure lahat ay dadalo,” Hontiveros said.
