The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to deny the motions filed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa seeking judicial relief before the executive branch could act on a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In its comment submitted before the High Court in G.R. No. 278747, the OSG argued that Dela Rosa’s “Urgent Manifestation with Omnibus Motion” and “Extremely Urgent Supplemental Manifestation with Motion” allegedly lack merit.
“Senator Dela Rosa’s position is akin to a person demanding the protection of the law while refusing to submit to its most basic commands. The rule of law cannot survive if obedience to legal process becomes optional for the powerful,” the OSG stated.
The government lawyers also argued that Dela Rosa’s actions allegedly demonstrate an intent to evade arrest and prosecution, adding that a person who refuses to submit to lawful authorities should not be allowed to seek relief from the courts.
The OSG further urged the Supreme Court to deny the motions “for utter lack of merit.”
The filing, dated May 16, 2026, was submitted through the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and other government officials named as respondents in the petition.
The motions stemmed from Dela Rosa’s earlier plea before the Supreme Court seeking immediate judicial protection amid the possibility of an ICC arrest warrant.
His legal counsel, the Law Firm of Torreon and Partners, previously asked the High Court for guidance on the legal effect of the warrant and reiterated its request for a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the senator’s arrest or transfer to any foreign tribunal without prior judicial authorization.
The camp cited the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying executive action could swiftly place a person under foreign custody before judicial review could take effect.
