Layout by: Gabriel Tarlac
Published by: Kristine Joyce Soriano
Date Published: March 24, 2025
Time Published: 3:45 PM
The Philippines' authorities have consistently prioritized political tolerance over the principles of justice and equality, threatening the country's already fragile democracy, leaving people who have experienced oppression to suffer in silence after what happened to their loved ones during the war on drugs operation because the law refuses to allow them to seek protection. But what happens if the world turns and a privileged and powerful person is the one who is accused of a crime? Will he be penalized ruthlessly by the law? Or will he be granted a protection from the ordinance itself?
A controversy has erupted in the Philippines after Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa asked Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero for protection from a potential International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant [1]. But will considering this plea uphold the principles of equality and fairness, or will it be seen as a blatant attempt to evade accountability for his actions during his tenure as the former National Police Chief?
Dela Rosa's plea is based on Section 11, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, which grants members of Congress immunity from arrest while the legislature is in session [1]. This provision is meant to protect lawmakers from political harassment and intimidation by those in power. However, the same law can also be exploited as a shield by lawmakers seeking to avoid accountability for their unlawful actions.
Dela Rosa’s plea is a prime example of this abuse of power. Instead of taking responsibility for his actions and facing the consequences of his role in the systematic killings of thousands of Filipinos during the war on drugs, he is now using his position to escape accountability.
Furthermore, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has expressed support for Dela Rosa's request, stating that the Senate will protect its institution while avoiding a constitutional crisis [2]. But doesn’t allowing Dela Rosa to escape accountability through legal loopholes create a crisis in itself?
Dela Rosa’s plea highlights the dangerous extent to which power can be abused. Legislative immunity was established to protect lawmakers from political persecution, not to serve as a shield for those accused of crimes against humanity. The fact that Dela Rosa is attempting to use this privilege to escape prosecution for mass murder during Duterte’s term exposes the reality that the phrase “no one is above the law” is nothing but a myth. In the Philippine government, it is evident that those in power can and will rise above the law.
The Senate’s willingness to consider granting Dela Rosa protection [3] makes one thing clear: justice in the Philippines bends to the will of the powerful, while accountability remains optional for those with strong political backing.
The victims of Dela Rosa and his men during the war on drugs were not given the luxury of legal defense, due process, or even a second chance. Many were executed in the streets without trial, denied the very justice that Dela Rosa now desperately seeks for himself. His request for protection is not just a legal maneuver—it is an insult and a mockery of the grieving families of those he helped kill. These families never had the opportunity to beg for immunity because their loved ones' fates were sealed by the bullets of the very operation he led.
This issue is not just about Dela Rosa—it is a battle between justice and privilege. Based on the Senate’s response, it is clear that political elites are granted protection while the unprivileged are denied the same rights. If Dela Rosa insists that he is innocent, he should prove it in court, not hide behind legal technicalities. If he had the audacity to orchestrate a violent drug war that left thousands dead, he should also have the courage to face the charges against him and defend himself in a court of law, doesn’t matter if it’s in a local or international legal court. Protecting a powerful criminal from accountability not only bends the rule of law but also protects a system where the powerful can manipulate the justice to serve their interests.
However, the problem isn't solely focused on the government system itself, but also on the people in charge of the institution who are making things tough for ordinary people. So, for us to effectively change the whole system, we must also focus on how we can elect people who are worthy of a seat in our government.
As we approach the next election, it's crucial that we prioritize choosing leaders who will uphold justice, fairness, and accountability. To achieve this, we need to be well-informed about the candidates and their track records. We must elect competent, fair, and reliable, individuals who will genuinely serve the public. By doing so, we can ensure that our government system serves its purpose: to protect and uplift the lives of all citizens, not just the privileged. Let's make informed choices and demand better from our leaders.
REFERENCES:
[1] Abarca, C. (2025, March 12). “Bato dela Rosa to seek Senate protection from ICC. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/267106/bato-dela-rosa-to-seek-senate-protection-from-icc/amp
[2] Cayabyab, M. J. (2025, March 15).
Bato’s plan to seek Senate refuge gets mixed reactions. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/03/15/2428458/batos-plan-seek-senate-refuge-gets-mixed-reactions/amp/
[3] Abarca, C. (2025, March 16). Escudero: Dela Rosa can seek refuge in Senate if ICC issues warrant. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/268312/escudero-says-dela-rosa-can-seek-refuge-in-senate-if-icc-issues-warrant/amp
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