Ronald dela Rosa will not be arrested “for now” following a security incident at the Senate of the Philippines on Wednesday night, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said, citing assurances from government officials and a directive from the Supreme Court.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines on Wednesday night transmitted the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate of the Philippines, two days after 257 lawmakers voted to impeach her.
Vicente Sotto III was unseated as Senate president on Monday after 13 of the 24 senators voted to declare all leadership posts vacant and elected Alan Peter Cayetano as his replacement during the chamber’s session.
The Senate elected Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano as its new Senate president on Monday after 13 senators voted to replace Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III during a plenary session.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) went to the Senate on Monday to serve an alleged arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, according to statements from the senator.
More than 200 lawmakers have expressed support for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of a scheduled House of Representatives vote on Monday, according to two lawmakers interviewed on Sunday.
The International Criminal Court has approved the withdrawal of lawyer Dov Jacobs from the legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte, while lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman has also requested permission to leave the case.
House Committee on Justice chair Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Saturday denied allegations that members of the House of Representatives were being offered cash, additional maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and government projects in exchange for supporting the impeachment of Sara Duterte.
Robin Padilla on Saturday said he has advised fellow senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa not to appear in public amid rumors that the International Criminal Court may have issued an arrest warrant against him.
Vice President Sara Duterte on May 7 blamed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration for rising government debt and unemployment, saying policy failures were driving economic strain in the Philippines.