The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) on Monday hit out at “irresponsible” statements made by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.
Vida previously ordered the arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, should the latter try to leave the Philippines.
“We are deeply concerned about your irresponsible statements in the media that you would allegedly have Senator Dela Rosa arrested should he attempt to leave the Philippines,” the PDP’s letter, written by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, said.
The latter said that dela Rosa has no warrant of arrest issued by any Philippine court and that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant has no effect unless if confirmed by local courts.
“As Secretary of Justice, the proper enforcement of the law rests upon your shoulders. The laws are simple enough to read for you not to understand their direct and proper meaning, and we do not believe that you are unaware that your statements to the media regarding your plan to arrest Senator Dela Rosa are distorted and contrary to the law. Your name may be Vida, but you are becoming a villain, to our laws and to the Rule of Law,” the letter wrote.
“Therefore, we strongly demand that you retract the absurd statements you made which attempt to violate our Constitution and prevailing jurisprudence. We also warn that should you carry out your threatened actions, we will be compelled to take legal measures to hold you accountable for your actions,” it added.
Dela Rosa has an arrest warrant by the ICC, issued last week.