Vice President Sara Duterte said the attempt to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa inside the Senate was “wrong,” arguing that foreign-issued warrants should first be presented before Philippine courts.

Speaking in an interview in The Hague, where she is visiting detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President said warrants issued outside the Philippines should undergo local judicial processes before enforcement.

“Mali ‘yan. Tulad ng ginawa nila kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, mali rin ‘yon. Dahil ang isang warrant of arrest galing sa labas ng Pilipinas, hindi issued by a Philippine court, should be presented in a Philippine court,” Duterte said.

The statement came after the ICC confirmed an arrest warrant against dela Rosa over his alleged criminal responsibility as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Meanwhile, Duterte also weighed in on the recent leadership change in the Senate, saying she respects the chamber’s decision on its internal affairs.

The Vice President said the choice of Senate leadership was a decision made by the majority of the chamber’s members.

“Kung ano yung liderato sa loob ng Senado, desisyon 'yon ng mga senators. Kung ano yung kalalabasan ng kanilang botohan ay desisyon 'yan ng karamihan ng kanilang mga miyembro,” she said during the same interview.

On May 11, Senator Alan Cayetano was elected Senate President, replacing Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.