Dela Rosa's legal team attacks P50M arrest bounty as unconstitutional

MANILA—The law firm representing Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa has mounted a legal challenge against a P50-million bounty issued for the senator's arrest, contending that the reward lacks constitutional foundation.

Torreon and Partners, the senator's legal counsel, questioned the government's authority to offer such a bounty without clear judicial oversight. 'Every peso of a government reward must answer one question – for the arrest of whom, in what case, by order of what court?' the law office stated in a position paper released Friday.

The challenge centers on concerns that the reward mechanism operates without proper legal safeguards or court authorization. The lawyers characterized the bounty as both 'illegal and risky,' suggesting it could encourage extrajudicial actions or improper law enforcement procedures.

Senator dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, has faced various legal challenges in recent months. His legal team's latest move signals an escalating dispute over the proper procedures and constitutional requirements governing government incentives for arrest warrants.

The dispute underscores broader questions about executive authority and judicial oversight in criminal matters, particularly regarding mechanisms used to compel arrests of high-profile political figures.