Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s plan to seek refuge in the Senate is questionable. Lacson’s statement comes after dela Rosa announced his intention to ask Senate President Francis Escudero to allow him to seek sanctuary in the Senate while Congress is on recess.
According to former Senate President Franklin Drilon, the privilege that prevents the arrest of senators while Congress is in session does not apply when Congress is on break. Drilon also emphasized that this privilege only applies to minor offenses with penalties of six years or less.
In this case, dela Rosa is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), which carries a penalty of more than six years. Therefore, the privilege may not be applicable to him.
