Dela Rosa's lawyers cite legal obstacles to his turnover to the ICC

Title Dela Rosa's Lawyers Cite Legal Obstacles to His Turnover to the ICC A Matter of Constitutional Significance

As we approach 2025, it is essential for professionals in education and beyond to understand the importance of upholding the Constitution. The recent developments surrounding Sen. Ronald dela Rosa's case serve as a stark reminder of the need for legal clarity and protection of individual rights.

Legal Obstacles to Dela Rosa's Turnover

In response to reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Dela Rosa, his lawyers have sounded the alarm, warning that there is no legal basis for invoking Section 17 of Republic Act (RA) 9851 to justify his surrender to the ICC.

According to the senator's legal team, there are indications that the government may rely on this section to justify his immediate surrender to the ICC, an action they describe as unconstitutional, baseless, and a grave distortion of Philippine law. They argue that Section 17 is not self-executing and must be read in conjunction with applicable extradition laws and treaties.

The Significance of Constitutional Clarity

It is crucial to understand that the Constitution serves as the foundation for our legal system. Any attempt to circumvent or disregard its provisions poses significant risks to individual rights and freedoms.

In this case, Sen. Dela Rosa's lawyers are right to emphasize the need for judicial oversight and a valid extradition process before he can be surrendered to the ICC. Without these safeguards, the government would be effectively disregarding the Constitution's protection of individual liberty and due process.

Upholding Constitutional Principles

Sen. Dela Rosa's lawyers are taking a strong stance in defense of his rights, arguing that the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 extinguished all treaty-based obligations of cooperation with the ICC. Furthermore, they point out that even if Section 17 remains operative, the ICC is no longer a court or international tribunal contemplated under Philippine law following the country's withdrawal.

This highlights the need for constitutional clarity and consistency in our legal framework.

Conclusion A Matter of Constitutional Significance

The Dela Rosa case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding constitutional principles and protecting individual rights. As professionals in education and beyond, it is crucial that we understand the legal implications of such cases and advocate for the protection of our Constitution.

In 2025 and beyond, let us continue to prioritize constitutional clarity and uphold the principles enshrined in our country's highest law. By doing so, we can ensure a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

Keywords Dela Rosa, ICC, legal obstacles, Constitutional significance, individual rights, due process, judicial oversight, extradition laws, treaties, Rome Statute.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.