What I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in the Constitution, and not Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa or Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who now face charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Monday as he addressed criticisms about his stand that local Philippine courts must be respected in whatever course of action the ICC may take.
“To those who criticize my opinion on the need for a corresponding domestic court order before the ICC warrants of arrest against our fellow senators and others may be implemented, let me be clear: what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, not Senators Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go,” Lacson said on X.
“Despite contrasting legal opinions on the matter, at the proper time, it is only the Supreme Court that will interpret the constitutional provision and legal procedure in this regard,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Paninindigan sa Paggalang sa Local Courts, Para Itaguyod ang Ating Legal na Proseso, Hindi Para Protektahan ang mga Senador
To those who criticize my opinion on the need for a corresponding domestic court order before the ICC warrants of arrest against our fellow senators and others may be implemented, let me be clear: what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III…
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) February 16, 2026
Lacson pointed out that Art. III Section 2 of the Constitution upholds the right of the people from deprivation of liberty.
Under Art. III Sec. 2 of the Constitution, “(t)he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.”
“(Thus) it does not matter if the warrant is issued by a foreign jurisdiction where extradition is in effect. Article III Section 2, which deals with protection from deprivation of liberty of our citizens, must be respected,” Lacson said.
Lacson reiterated the Senate may discuss possible options on the matter, as early as this Wednesday. He pointed out the Senate’s lawyers will also look into possible courses of action.
On Saturday, Lacson said dela Rosa and Go should have the chance to avail of all legal options, “because our local courts and processes must be respected.”
“Our local courts must be respected. If there is an arrest warrant from the ICC or a foreign court, it should go through our local court, which will issue a corresponding order to implement the foreign entity’s arrest warrant,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ.
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Lacson: Paninindigan sa Paggalang sa Local Courts, Para Itaguyod ang Ating Legal na Proseso, Hindi Para Protektahan ang mga Senador
Ang pinoprotektahan dito ay ang legal na proseso ng ating bansa na nakasaad sa Konstitusyon, at hindi sina Senador Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa o Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go na ngayon ay nahaharap sa mga kaso sa International Criminal Court (ICC).
Binigyang-diin ito ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes, bilang tugon sa mga batikos sa kanyang paninindigan na dapat igalang ang mga lokal na hukuman sa Pilipinas sa anumang hakbang na maaaring isagawa ng ICC.
“To those who criticize my opinion on the need for a corresponding domestic court order before the ICC warrants of arrest against our fellow senators and others may be implemented, let me be clear: what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, not Senators Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go,” ani Lacson sa X.
“Despite contrasting legal opinions on the matter, at the proper time, it is only the Supreme Court that will interpret the constitutional provision and legal procedure in this regard,” dagdag niya.
Ipinunto ni Lacson na itinataguyod ng ating Saligang Batas ang karapatan ng mamamayan laban sa pagkakait ng kalayaan.
Sa ilalim ng Art. III Sec. 2 ng 1987 Constitution, “(t)he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.”
“(Thus) it does not matter if the warrant is issued by a foreign jurisdiction where extradition is in effect. Article III Section 2, which deals with protection from deprivation of liberty of our citizens, must be respected,” diin ni Lacson.
Ani Lacson, maaaring talakayin ng Senado sa Miyerkules ang mga posibleng hakbang kaugnay ng isyu. Pag-aaralan din ng mga abogado ng Senado ang mga nararapat gawin.
Noong nakaraang Sabado, sinabi ni Lacson na dapat igalang ang mga lokal na hukuman sa Pilipinas sa anumang hakbang na maaaring isagawa ng ICC kaugnay sa dalawang senador, na tinukoy bilang mga co-perpetrators sa kampanya kontra droga ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
“Kasi dapat igalang natin ang local courts. Pag may arrest warrant from ibang bansa, ICC o foreign court, dapat ito dinadaan natin sa local court at may corresponding order galing sa ating local court ilalabas para ma implement ang arrest warrant galing sa foreign entity,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa DWIZ.
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