Bato dela Rosa challenges Raoul Manuel to become senator

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa responded to criticism from Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel on Wednesday. Manuel had questioned the Senate's support for dela Rosa, suggesting it should focus on more important issues, like planning an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. In his statement, Manuel said the Senate should not waste resources protecting dela Rosa. He argued that if the Senate is willing to help him, it should instead work on starting an impeachment trial for the Vice President promptly. Dela Rosa did not appreciate Manuel’s comments. He told the representative to become a senator first if he wanted to be taken seriously. He suggested that only then would Senate President Chiz Escudero consider his opinions. Senate President Escudero previously stated that dela Rosa could find refuge in the Senate if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him. There are concerns that dela Rosa, along with retired police chief Oscar Albayalde, could face such warrants for their involvement in the previous administration's controversial drug war. An ICC assistant to counsel indicated that dela Rosa, Albayalde, and former President Duterte are among those named in documents related to potential human rights violations.