Allies just used Bato

The looming arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa may finally test whether accountability in the Philippines applies equally to the powerful and the poor. After the Supreme Court refused to issue a temporary restraining order against the International Criminal Court warrant, the Department of Justice made clear that law enforcement agencies are no longer restrained from carrying out the arrest. For dela Rosa, the walls appear to be closing in.

Yet, the political drama surrounding the fugitive senator reveals how fragile the country’s institutions remain when politics and loyalty override the rule of law. The recent Senate leadership upheaval exposed the transactional nature of alliances in Philippine politics. Dela Rosa seemed less like a protected ally than a convenient political instrument in the power play that elevated Alan Peter Cayetano back into influence. Rumors of clandestine movements in and out of Senate premises only deepened public suspicion that political operators are willing to bend institutions to shield allies.

Meanwhile, some legal arguments raised by dela Rosa’s camp border on desperation. The insistence that only a local court can validate the ICC warrant ignores the reality that crimes against humanity transcend ordinary criminal proceedings. Even the attempt by one lawyer to “accept” the warrant on behalf of the senator became an object of ridicule among legal circles. Such tactics may delay proceedings, but they do not erase the gravity of the allegations.

Unlike political rebellions or mutinies survived by figures like Panfilo Lacson and Antonio Trillanes IV, dela Rosa’s predicament centers on thousands of deaths linked to the bloody drug war he once proudly championed. Public sympathy becomes difficult when the accusations involve widespread killings and alleged abuses committed under state authority.

Still, public opinion remains deeply divided. In Davao City, loyalty to the Duterte dynasty remains remarkably strong despite mounting controversies surrounding Sara Duterte. Political loyalty, regional identity, and years of populist messaging continue to shield the family from total public rejection.

And therein lies the uncomfortable reality: even if dela Rosa faces The Hague, justice in the Philippines remains hostage to politics. Should Sara Duterte survive impeachment and eventually capture the presidency in 2028, the possibility of executive clemency could transform today’s fugitive into tomorrow’s redeemed political ally.