Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo dismissed reports of an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, calling it a diversion from the ongoing controversy surrounding government flood control projects.
Panelo said the supposed ICC warrant was “nonexistent,” pointing out that the tribunal’s current list of active cases only includes one related to former president Rody Duterte. He added that circulating claims about an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa appear to be fabricated and meant to mislead the public.
The former presidential legal counsel suggested that the issue was being used to draw attention away from the alleged irregularities in the government’s flood control program.
Several flood mitigation and drainage projects have come under scrutiny after questions were raised about their implementation, funding, and transparency.
Panelo also reiterated that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 renders any of its actions without legal effect in the country. He said the court no longer has jurisdiction over Philippine officials and that any such warrant would have no enforceability under domestic law.
