Duterte camp to appeal SC denial of TRO issuance

Metro Manila, Philippines - The camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte will appeal the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to deny the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) following the former chief executive’s arrest.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa told NewsWatch Plus on Friday, March 14, that they will file a motion for reconsideration.

“All I can do is to hope and pray na kakatigan ng Supreme Court ‘yung ating [that the Supreme Court will grant our] motion for reconsideration,” dela Rosa said.

Duterte was arrested on a warrant from the ICC and upon the request from the International Criminal Police Organization due to crimes against humanity for his brutal drug war. Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief and implementer of the bloody campaign.

Dela Rosa is a subject of the ICC investigation, but there is so far no arrest warrant against him.

Duterte and Dela Rosa filed a petition with the SC, challenging the government’s cooperation with the ICC when it has already withdrawn from the Rome Statute which formed the judicial body.

They asked the SC for a TRO, but the high court said Duterte and dela Rosa “failed to establish a clear and unmistakable right for the immediate issuance” of one.

Following his arrest, the former president was brought to The Hague, Netherlands where the ICC is located. Duterte’s first appearance before the court is scheduled on March 14.