The Department of Justice (DOJ) has sent several subpoenas to different government offices to collect documents about Senate security and firearms as part of its efforts to enforce the ICC arrest warrant against fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who is still in the country.
In a press briefing, DOJ Secretary Frederrick Vida said that all indications available to him showed that Dela Rosa is still within Philippine jurisdiction, and appealed to the senator to respect the rule of law and surrender peacefully.
The DOJ special panel of prosecutors has sent a subpoena asking the Senate Secretary for the Oath of Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, an inventory of Senate firearms, and security logs of people entering and leaving the building regarding the incidents that transpired at the Senate premises from May 11 to 13, 2026. It has also sent subpoenas to the Commission on Audit and the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office for records of weapons owned by the Senate.
Secretary Vida said he sent a formal letter to Senator Dela Rosa’s legal counsel Atty. Jimmy Bondoc requested any information on the whereabouts of his client. Vida said this is an opportunity for Bondoc to cooperate with law enforcement in serving the ICC warrant.
When asked about the client-lawyer privilege, Vida’s position is that it doesn’t excuse legal counsels regarding Dela Rosa’s case. “Being an officer of the court, being a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines covered by the law, doesn’t excuse him from cooperating or doesn’t excuse him from committing crimes like concealing offenders, misleading authorities, or delaying legal process.”
“For the Philippine jurisdiction, the ICC arrest warrant is valid. It’s enforceable. And the Philippine authority is currently pursuing its enforcement,” the justice chief added. Secretary Vida reminded everyone that a public official or employee found guilty of committing criminal acts has an accessory penalty of being perpetually disqualified from holding public office.