Dennis Gaviola

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulates Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who was among the  Outstanding Achievement Awardees during the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on January 21, 2020.King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo

Article (news)

Carmelle Lacuata

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday dismissed the inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances complaints filed by police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre against former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a “non-issue”.</p><p>Dela Rosa, a longtime ally of the former president, also said Duterte can defend himself should the case prosper.</p><p>“Wala ‘yan. If ever mag-prosper ‘yang kaso na ‘yan sa prosecution, kayang kaya naman ‘yan ni Pangulong Duterte harapin. Non-issue ‘yan,” he told reporters.</p><p>“I don’t know why. Mayroon bang nag-complain na papatayin siya? Wala naman siguro,” Dela Rosa added.</p><p>While Dela Rosa noted that none of the senators filed a complaint against Duterte, he also acknowledged that CIDG is merely doing its job by filing the complaints.</p><p>“But then, there’s nobody’s complaining. Out of the blue, CIDG is filing its case against the former president. If they feel that’s their duty, then do it,” he said.</p><p>“There’s no one among the 15 senators na papatayin ang nagco-complain, kasi wala naman talagang pinangalanan ‘di ba. No complainant, no case,” Dela Rosa added.</p><p>Torre filed the complaint for “case buildup” under the Department Circular No. 20 of the DOJ.</p><p>Under the new system, a prosecutor will evaluate the complaint to make sure that there is “reasonable certainty of conviction” and not just “probable cause”, before a complaint is filed before the National Prosecution Service.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/17/rodrigo-duterte-faces-sedition-unlawful-utterances-complaint-over-kill-senators-remark-1711">Rodrigo Duterte faces sedition, unlawful utterances complaint over ‘kill’ senators remark</a></div><div><strong>&#x27;OBJECTIVE, APOLITICAL&#x27;</strong></div><p>When asked about the impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte, Dela Rosa said he will do his best to be objective and apolitical.</p><p>“Alam naman natin ‘yang impeachment trial, political process. Ifa-factor in talaga ang politics diyan, whether you like it or not. But ako, bilang miyembro ng impeachment court, as a senator-judge, depensahan ko rin ‘yung integridad ng Senado, as the institution where I belong,” he said.</p><p>“Meaning, ipakita ko talaga na I will be very objective, I will be apolitical, I have to maintain my political neutrality. Basahin ko lahat, i-weigh in ko lahat…and I will do my best to be objective,” Dela Rosa added.</p><p>Dela Rosa likewise said he believes the Supreme Court will not compel them to do their job.</p><p>“Tingnan natin kung anong sabihin ng Supreme Court. I think the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution, magbigay sila ng tama na interpretation sa Constitution, but as to directing the Senate to do its job, I don’t think idi-direct kami ng Supreme Court to do our job,” he said.</p><p>“As said by our Senate President, we will do that job at the proper time,” Dela Rosa added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/17/lawmaker-sc-has-power-to-compel-senate-to-convene-impeachment-court-1954">Lawmaker: SC has power to compel Senate to convene impeachment court</a></div><p>In a petition filed Friday, lawyer Catalino Generillo Jr. asked the high court to issue a writ of mandamus so that senators will immediately constitute themselves into an impeachment court and “forthwith” conduct a public trial, following the filing of the impeachment case by the House of Representatives. </p><p>Vice President Duterte has denied allegations, including of irregularities in how confidential funds allocated to her office were used, and has attributed the proceedings against her to partisan politics.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/15/lawyer-asks-sc-to-direct-senate-to-proceed-with-impeachment-trial-1429">Lawyer asks SC to direct Senate to proceed with Sara Duterte impeachment trial</a></div><div><strong>‘VERY CHALLENGING CAMPAIGN’</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Dela Rosa, who is seeking reelection, admitted that this year’s campaign is more challenging compared when he first ran as senator in 2019.</p><p>“Very challenging ngayon, nasa opposition ka ‘di ba. Very challenging, as compared to before, midterm, na ‘yung sitting president ay nandiyan, all the government agencies ay very friendly sa’yo, pati mga LGUs, very friendly sa’yo, kasi sitting president ‘yung boss mo. Right now, no. All the handicaps, nandiyan sa amin,” he said.</p><p>Dela Rosa also admitted they lack resources and funds, so they can only wait to be invited in order to reach as many people as they can.</p><p>“Marami, like maghintay ka kung mayroong mag-imbita sayo, para makapunta ka, kung mayroon silang gathering ng crowd na medyo malaki laki, tapos imbitahan ka, saka ka pupunta. Otherwise, kung walang mag-imbita, wala talaga,” he said.</p><p>“So far wala pa kaming naka-schedule na mga sortie, because of lack of funds, so wala pa kaming naka-schedule na malakihan,” Dela Rosa added.</p><p>Despite the challenges, Dela Rosa said he is confident that people will still vote for him.</p><p>“I’m confident na, basehan ko lang ‘yung reception ng tao kung saan saan ako pumupunta. Anyway, hindi naman ‘yung mga politiko ang boboto sa’yo, kundi ang taongbayan naman talaga ang magpapanalo sa’yo,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/9/dela-rosa-sorry-for-mocking-saying-he-wants-to-hit-akbayan-s-cenda-a-1039">Dela Rosa sorry for mocking, saying he wants to hit Akbayan&#x27;s Cendaña</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/11/dela-rosa-to-use-tokhang-in-reelection-bid-2104">Dela Rosa to use &#x27;tokhang&#x27; in reelection bid</a></div>

<p>Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday dismissed the inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances complaints filed by police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre against former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a “non-issue”.</p>

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday dismissed the inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances complaints filed by police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre against former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a “non-issue”.

‘Non-issue’: Dela Rosa dismisses complaint vs Duterte over 'kill senators' remark

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‘Non-issue’: Dela Rosa dismisses complaint vs Duterte over 'kill senators' remark

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2025 11:45 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 18, 2025 01:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Ronald Dela Rosa

Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte

Senate

impeachment

CIDG

inciting to sedition

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