MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida announced on Thursday that the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa is now enforceable, following the Supreme Court’s decision to deny his petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO).
Vida made the statement after the High Court rejected Dela Rosa’s request to stop any arrest or enforcement actions linked to the ICC warrant, effectively clearing the way for domestic authorities to recognize and act on the international legal instrument.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the ruling removes any legal barrier previously sought by the senator to halt implementation while the case was pending before the judiciary.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after Dela Rosa asked for a TRO or a status quo ante order to prevent enforcement of the ICC warrant and related actions. The Court, however, did not grant the relief sought.
With the TRO petition dismissed, Vida said the DOJ considered the ICC warrant actionable under existing legal mechanisms and coordination frameworks involving law enforcement agencies.
