MANILA — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday (April 3) said the government’s response to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte may have a “chilling effect.”
During the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee’s second hearing on April 3, 2025, Cayetano addressed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of the former President through Interpol on March 11, 2025 and how other such actions would be carried out against other personalities in the future.
“Naglabas ang ICC ng redacted list (ng mga kakasuhan kasama ni President Duterte) at sinabi na marami pang susunod sa kanya. May chilling effect ito sa lahat, like in the case of Senator (Ronald) ‘Bato’ dela Rosa,” he said.
Cayetano asked how the government would respond if the ICC issues an arrest warrant against dela Rosa.
“Can Senator Bato have a counsel of his own choice? Can he be examined by a doctor? Pwede ba siya magresist kasi wala namang Philippine order?” he said, alluding to the manner in which Duterte was arrested.
“Pwede ba siya (dela Rosa) isakay bigla sa eroplano eh mabigat iyan baka ma-overloading iyon? Dinadaan ko lang ngayon sa biro, pero hindi po biro ito,” Cayetano said.
“May chilling effect ito, that’s why we have to get to the bottom of this. Whatever we decide here is applicable to all of us,” he added.
Cayetano emphasized the need for government transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law, warning that political situations can change rapidly.
“Kung pro-Duterte ka, you want accountability. But we want accountability here in the Philippines at y’ung tamang process. If you are anti-Duterte, you also want accountability, but you also want to do it right,” he said.
“Tulad ng sinabi ni former President Erap (Joseph Estrada), ‘Weather, weather lang iyan.” Kailangan may batas (na magpoprotekta sa ating lahat) sa kahit anong ‘weather’ para klaro ang ating karapatan,” he added.
Cayetano also stressed the importance of upholding justice regardless of political stance.
“I ran as an independent. Wala po akong partido at hindi ako partisan. Pero tao po tayo, and we can all be pro or anti. [In this issue], both pro- and anti-Duterte, gusto ng accountability, truth, at tamang paraan,” he said.
“Two wrongs do not make a right. Kaya whether you are pro- or anti-Duterte, we want the rule of law. Gusto natin ang tama,” he added. (UnliNews Online)
