Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa, through their legal counsel, filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, seeking protection against the premature disclosure of the alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the senator.
In a 25-page filing submitted to the Supreme Court through their legal counsel, Israel P. Torreon, the petitioners sought to prevent Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and other officials from acting on or recognizing the alleged ICC warrant. The petition also included an immediate request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a writ of mandatory injunction to stop any enforcement action along with a certiorari and injunction.
The petitioners argued that on November 8, 2025, former Justice Secretary and current Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla publicly stated during a radio broadcast that he was “well aware” of the ICC warrant against Mr. Dela Rosa.
The petition said the statement came from a high-ranking constitutional officer, giving it “prima facie credibility” and potentially prompting law enforcement agencies to act on the information.
“Such disclosures, if acted upon, may trigger the operational machinery of law enforcement agencies, which may consider it as an authority to coordinate with Interpol or execute the said warrant,” the plea said.
The following day, on November 9, the petitioners reported that the ICC had reportedly issued a proliferation order directing Philippine authorities to locate and arrest Mr. dela Rosa for possible extradition subject to national legal procedures.
The petitioners said that the public announcement of the purported warrant and dissemination order could jeopardize Mr. Dela Rosa's personal safety and expose him to unfair legal actions.
The petition also cited media reports dated November 12, presumably referring to Mr. Remulla during a press conference on November 11, where he stood by his statement that he had obtained a copy of the arrest warrant, although he described it as “unofficial.”
“Confirmed, I have [warrant of arrest] On my phone, but it's not an official copy. It will have to go through proper channels before it can be implemented,” Mr. Remulla said.
The petitioners argue that such statements by a high-ranking official could be misinterpreted as legal authority, potentially compromising due process and violating Mr. Dela Rosa's constitutional rights.
They further requested the Supreme Court to issue a TRO or injunction to halt any enforcement of the purported warrant pending judicial resolution of the case, noting that the ICC has not formally transmitted any official warrant or request for the arrest of Mr. dela Rosa to the Philippine authorities through proper diplomatic or legal channels.
The petitioners also said that the matter was urgent, describing it as a “very urgent expression” aimed at avoiding prejudice from the alleged public disclosure, and reiterated their plea to the Supreme Court to stop any unilateral enforcement action by law enforcement agencies based on unverified information.
In a separate four-page filing, the petitioners also submitted a “very urgent motion to compel”, asking the Supreme Court to produce Mr Remulla a copy of the alleged ICC arrest warrant, which he admitted to possessing on his mobile phone.
The motion further requests that Mr. Remulla provide a sworn explanation of how, when and under whose authority he obtained the document, emphasizing the urgency of clarifying the existence of the alleged warrant.
Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Suu Mai L. The Supreme Court confirmed that the petitions had been officially filed, Ting told reporters in a Viber group chat. , Erica Mae P. Sinaking
