Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lacson clarifies due process call won't shield Dela Rosa from ICC
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday that advocating for due process for colleague Ronald Dela Rosa does not mean protecting him from International Criminal Court proceedings. Lacson emphasized that due process actually means allowing Dela Rosa to face trial before the ICC.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson moved to clarify his position on due process for fellow senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, stating that supporting procedural fairness does not equate to shielding his colleague from International Criminal Court prosecution.
Lacson said on Tuesday that his calls for due process are being misinterpreted. "Due process means allowing Senator dela Rosa to face trial before the ICC rather than denying him that opportunity," he explained, emphasizing that the principle protects an individual's right to a fair hearing within the judicial system.
The clarification comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of alleged extrajudicial killings during the Philippines' war on drugs. Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the height of the drug campaign, has faced scrutiny from international bodies regarding his role in the operations.
Lacson's statement seeks to distinguish between support for judicial fairness and opposition to accountability. The senator's position underscores the complex legal landscape facing former officials implicated in the controversial anti-drug operations as the ICC continues its preliminary examination into the matter.