DOJ holds press briefing — Friday, May 15

[0:08] Good afternoon, everyone. My attorney, Paulo Martinez, we are joined this afternoon by the Secretary of Justice, Attorney Frederick A. Vida, and Undersecretary, Ian Normandato. [0:19] The Secretary of Justice has called for this press conference to discuss and clarify two things. [0:25] Number one, the legality and technicalities in implementing a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC, and specifically its relation to Senator Ronald Bato de la Rosa. [0:34] And second, the incidents and events that transpired at the Senate of the Philippines during the period of May 11 to May 13, 2026. [0:45] So, Juvida, ayan na po. [1:08] Ayan, narinig nyo na po ako. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Ito po ang inyong kagawaran ng katarungan, si Secretary Eric, kumaharap sa inyo ngayong hapon. [1:18] And let me read my statement. This is to provide an update regarding the incident that occurred at the Senate. [1:26] Actually, the days, the two days, from May 11 to 14, we're looking at, no? [1:33] The Department of Justice wishes to emphasize on three points. [1:37] First, the DOJ recognizes the gravity of any firearm-related incident occurring within or near the Senate of the Philippines, a co-equal branch of government. [1:50] Second, the DOJ will proceed strictly on the basis of verified facts and evidence. [1:56] Third, the Department remains committed to ensuring a fair and partial and professional investigation consistent with the rule of law. [2:05] And for this reason, I have directed the constitution or creation of a special panel of prosecutors to conduct a comprehensive case build-up investigation into the incident. [2:18] The panel shall be vested with such powers as may be necessary to enable it to conduct an impartial thorough and just investigation, including the authority to issue subpoenas. [2:31] I likewise am directing and ordering all concerned law enforcement agencies, including the PNP, particularly its scene of the crime operatives, the NCRPO, the Pasay City Police Station, as well as the National Bureau of Investigation, [2:54] to preserve and submit within 48 hours from receipt of the order, all relevant evidence and records pertaining to the serious event that's inspired at the Senate Complex from May 11 to May 14, 2026. [3:12] Likewise, the DOJ shall request the Office of the Sergeant at Arms through the Office of the Senate President to submit a report and turn over all relevant pieces of evidence in its possession and control, [3:29] evidence that may aid the special panel of prosecutors, which would include CCTV footages, ballistic and paraffin examination results, deployment records, communication logs, incident reports, witness statements, and other forensic and documentary evidence. [3:54] Next, I would like to encourage crowdsourcing of evidence. [3:58] For any available evidence which is verified or can be verifiable, okay? [4:07] Ang daalam nyo naman, ang daming kumalat na video, okay? [4:12] You can submit it to our panel of prosecutors investigating this. [4:16] And we will look at them so that we can get to the truth of the circumstances that led to the incident. [4:26] Okay, this is an appeal to members of the media who were present at the Senate premises during the relevant period, to submit videos, photos, and any other evidence that may deem useful to the panel. [4:41] At this time, the investigation is ongoing. [4:44] The department definitely will not prematurely assign liability or validate public claims until all evidence has been fully evaluated. [4:54] We assure the public that a complete, transparent, and partial investigation will be conducted. [5:02] Okay, basically, ang ano po natin is the deadline I'm giving for the initial report for the law enforcement agencies, no? [5:10] Particularly the NBI, the PNP, yung SPD, I think, kasama yung Pasay City Police District, and the NCRPO, to submit the report not later than 5 p.m. Wednesday next week. [5:24] Okay, and also, this is a similar request to the Office of the Sergeant at Arms. [5:33] We will course our request through the Office of the Senate President. [5:37] In addition, on the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Senator Bato de la Rosa, with his press briefing, I do confirm that there is a valid ICC arrest warrant, and a pending request from ICC to serve the same has been duly received by the Philippines. [6:13] Second, we do acknowledge the independence of the Senate as a co-equal branch of government. [6:22] And as such, we do respect the sense of the Senate when they placed Senator Bato de la Rosa under protected custody. [6:33] And the Executive Department, through the Department of Justice, expects nothing less that upon resolution of all legal issues, and there's a petition, and there are legal issues now pending before the Supreme Court, [6:50] we will expect that the appropriate turnover will be made to the Department of Justice once all the legal issues have been resolved for his arrest. [7:02] Next, the Department of Justice will treat any attempt of Senator Bato de la Rosa to leave the country as a mockery of justice. [7:16] And I'm giving specific orders to law enforcement agents, to our border control authorities, that if Senator Bato de la Rosa would try to leave the country, that the appropriate arrest should be made. [7:30] He is under the protected custody of the Senate, and we expect the appropriate turnover once all the legal issues have been resolved, the petition pending before the Supreme Court. [7:44] Of course, we do acknowledge the Executive Department, through the Department of Justice, acknowledges the Judiciary, the Supreme Court being the final arbiter of resolving all these issues. [7:56] That's why I just met with the lawyers of the Office of the Solicitor General. [8:04] The Office of the Solicitor General will comply with the requirement to submit its comment, not later than 6.43 p.m. tomorrow. [8:14] And pursuant to the order of the court, the other party is given another 72 hours to submit their reply on the comment, and I think that will hopefully will put a resolution on the matter. [8:36] Next, mga kababayan ko, naliligaw din po tayo ng landas, no? [8:46] Sa pagtingin po natin sa proseso, dito po sa DOJ, ang pilit po natin ipinupunto, tingnan po natin din yung biktima, tandaan po natin itong arrest warrant ni Senator Bato de la Rosa, dahil may mga Pilipinong naghahanap ng katarungan. [9:08] Dito po sa Department of Justice, pag may kinasuhan po kami, kaya nga po people of the Philippines, kakampi nung biktima yung people of the Philippines, inuusig natin. [9:21] Tandaan po natin sa mga nakalatag na ebidensya sa ICC, may mga biktima po na naghahanap ng katarungan. [9:31] Kaya nga po, sa kabila po, na may interplay po ng jurisdiction ng bawat ahensya, ang bawat co-equal branch, legislative, executive, at judiciary. [9:45] Huwag po mawawala sa ating isipan na itong tinatawag pong EJ case, may mga biktima po at hindi lang po iilan. [9:53] May mga bata po, may mga bata po na hindi na hong makakapag-file ng writ of habeas corpus, may mga bata po, may mga biktima na hindi na hong makakatakbo, na hindi na hong makakapangatwiran. [10:07] Kaya po, huwag po natin isasantabi. Nakakalungkod po yung mga naging insidente. [10:13] Pero sa dulo po nito, ang katotohanan lamang naman po ang mamamayani. [10:18] Kaya po, itong ating panel na mag-iimbestiga, hinihikayat po namin kayo na mag-share kayo ng kaukulang informasyon na meron kayo. [10:29] Something verifiable, something verified, so that we can put people accountable kung meron nung may kasalanan. [10:40] Pag ang ebidensya ay nagtuturo na panagutin ang ilang mga tao, pananagutin natin. [10:45] Pag nagsasabi rin naman na walang kasalanan, exonerate natin. [10:48] Ito po ang layunin itong panel na to. [10:52] At dito na lamang po muna ang aking statement. [10:57] At tatanggap po tayo ng mga katanungan. [10:59] Follow. [11:01] Hi, Sec. Good afternoon, Rolando from Manila Standard. [11:06] Sec, unang-una po, you've mentioned that you recognize that there is a valid warrant of arrest [11:12] from the International Criminal Court issued against Senator Ronald De La Rosa. [11:17] Sec, does the DOJ think that it should be crossed over through the local courts? [11:25] As I recall that the NBI said in an interview on Tuesday that it can be bypassed because of the powers vested under the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime? [11:35] These are precise issues that the Supreme Court will pass upon. [11:41] So I would just decline to answer. [11:45] The government will be presenting its case to the Office of the Solicitor General. [11:50] We should not. [11:52] And we should respect the authority of the Supreme Court on this matter. [11:55] Second question, I guess you've also learned that Senator Ronald De La Rosa has fled the Senate, has left the Senate premises already. [12:05] And nasabi niyo po kanina na he might, kung sakaling nakaalis man po siya ng bansa, [12:11] ay pwede siyang arrestuhin since he's no longer within the premises while he's in Senate custody. [12:16] Will you also try to investigate Senator Robin Padilla's role as some sources have already said that may kasabwat siya, kasangkot siya sa pag-alis ni Senator De La Rosa mula sa Senado? [12:29] And will you file charges against it? [12:32] Ayaw po ang pangunahan yung panel natin. [12:34] Kaya nga po ang nakapaloob dun sa panel natin, [12:38] ang utos ko dun sa panel ay mag-imbestiga sa lahat ng pangyayari mula May 11 hanggang May 14. [12:44] Pagkatapos ma-determine yung katotohanan, yung mga factual setting na verifiable, [12:51] ayaw po natin magpangalan muna dahil kailangan pong gawin ng panel yung trabaho nila. [12:57] So it's fair to say that you will not comment on any plans to file obstruction of justice charges against Senator Padilla? [13:06] Any comment would be premature. So I won't give premature comments. [13:10] Last sec, I'd like to hear this from you. There are rumors swirling these past few days. [13:15] Will you be replaced as the Justice Secretary? [13:18] Can we confirm this that you will stay as Acting Justice Secretary? [13:22] We can ask Tweety Bird, my dear colleagues. [13:27] Hindi ko rin ho kilala si Tweety Bird, where the source is coming from. [13:33] And also, we, of course, we serve for the Filipino people. [13:38] Your Secretary of Justice serves for the Filipino people. [13:42] We serve at the pleasure of the President. [13:45] And sa atin lang ho, marami pong utos sa inyong lingkod, kaya parang sa tingin ko ho, tuloy-tuloy ho. [13:51] So, any further statement, this is speculation on my part. [13:56] Okay, Ade. [13:57] That cannot be categorical. [13:59] We could kindly limit our questions to the topics discussed, please. [14:02] Mr. Rolando, one, and then Camille. [14:04] Good afternoon, Secretary. [14:11] Sinabi niyo po na once na magkaroon ng resolution, yung mga petitions and motions ni Sen. De La Rosa, [14:18] umaasa kayo na iti-turn over siya ng maayos ng Senado. [14:22] Ngayong wala na po sa Senado si Sen. De La Rosa. [14:25] And if lumabas po yung resolution, ano na yung magiging hakbang ng DOJ [14:29] para po masiguro na makukuha si Sen. De La Rosa at masaserve yung arestwaran sa kanya? [14:35] Marami kami pwedeng gawin. Pero ang una ko i-cocall, kasi nilagay siya sa protective custody ng Sen. [14:44] So, ang pagpag na-resolve na lahat ng issue sa usaping legal, di ba? [14:51] Ang tatanungin namin is, anong nangyari sa protective custody ng Sen. [14:56] Kahapon po nilip na po yung Sen. protection custody ni Sen. De La Rosa. [15:01] Since wala na siya doon po sa premises ng Senado. [15:04] Okay. So, titingnan din namin ang efekto nun, di ba? [15:11] Pag-aaralan natin lahat. [15:13] Ang efekto nga nito, ang immediate effect nito, na wala na siya sa Senate premises. [15:18] Di ba? Pero pag-aaralan pa rin namin, di ba? [15:21] Sir, ngayon po ba alam niyo po kung nasaan ngayon si Sen. De La Rosa? [15:25] Natatrack niyo po ba kung ano po yung location niya ngayon [15:28] para kung sakaling man mabilis at magiging maayos yung pagproseso ng pagsisilbi ng arestwaran sa kanya? [15:34] There are units and actionable information that is available to the Republic. [15:42] Can you confirm, sir, na alam niyo po yung location? [15:45] There are information available to us to determine where he is. [15:52] Hi, sir. Good afternoon. Camille Samonte po from TV5. [15:55] Is it safe to say, sir, that we're conducting a manhunt operation versus Sen. Bato De La Rosa? [16:00] Because you said that ang utos niyo po sa mga kapulisan, [16:04] oras na makita sa Sen. Bato De La Rosa ay arestuhin para ma-implement itong ICC arrest of court. [16:09] Correct. Correct lang. Correct. There's no such order. [16:11] Okay? Don't twist the facts. [16:13] Ang sinabi ko, di ba? [16:14] We respect the jurisdiction, the pending case in the Supreme Court. [16:20] And based on the tenor, we ventilate all issues first with the Supreme Court. [16:25] The Supreme Court being the final arbiter of all these legal issues. [16:29] We respect that. [16:30] Second, we respect the sensitivities of the Senate as a co-equal branch. [16:35] There's no order for manhunt. [16:37] But we will treat any attempt to leave the country of the Philippines as an attempt to put a mockery in the justice system of the Philippines. [16:48] So basically, the arrest is conditional. [16:52] The order for his arrest. [16:54] Okay? [16:55] Paglalabas siya, teka, ibang usapan na yan. [16:57] Ano yun, sir? Kung nagtatago siya sa probinsya, hahayaan lang po siya, [17:02] ang gat hindi naglalabas ng desisyon ang Korte Suprema? [17:06] Kung maga status quo, sir? [17:08] Hindi po. Ang sinasabi natin, ang sunod na order po ng Supreme Court ay mag-file ng comment at yung kabilang panig na pagpasagutin din doon sa comment. [17:20] Antayin po natin kung paano yung pag-alaw ng kaso sa Supreme Court. [17:26] JP, use the mic. [17:30] Your instructions po na the arrest, the order for an arrest will only come if only lalabas siya ng bansa. [17:41] On what grounds, again, just to clarify, on what grounds yung legal grounds, bakit aaresto yun siya paglalabas ang bansa? [17:49] He cannot leave the country because? [17:51] Because of the arrest warrant, we will definitely submit to the request of the ICC. [18:01] Kasi we're hearing him out. [18:04] Dito, mga kapatid, pakinggan niyo yung inyong DOJ. [18:08] Pinapakinggan natin sila. [18:09] Seating senator si senator ba to? [18:12] Opo. [18:12] Diba? [18:13] Pero pag may attempt ka ng umalis sa Pilipinas, teka, ibang usapan na to. [18:19] Diba? Ibang ang usapan to. [18:23] Diba? [18:23] Ninarespeto natin ang mga karapatan ng isang nakaupong senador. [18:28] Diba? [18:28] Halal siya ng maraming Pilipino. [18:31] Diba? [18:32] Pero yung pag nag-attempt ka, sa galagalignaan ng gantong sitwasyon, [18:36] na nilipad ka, pag pupunta ka, teka, ibang usapan yan. [18:40] Hindi naman namin pwedeng pabayaan yung obligasyon ng ating gobyerno. [18:46] Diba? [18:47] Na mapanagot siya. [18:49] Kaakibat dito, tandaan natin, we have international commitment. [18:53] Diba? [18:53] Tulad ng ano, diba? [18:55] Three weeks ago, I think, yung nasa Prague ako. [18:58] Diba? [18:58] Similarly ang expectation natin. [19:00] Diba? [19:00] Diba? [19:02] Natulad yung isang pugante, o isang pinagahanap ng batas, [19:06] natulad ni former congressman Saldico. [19:08] Diba? [19:09] Frustrated tayong lahat, eh. [19:11] Diba? [19:12] Frustrated tayo. [19:13] May ibang sasalubongan sa inyo sa airport, saka nakalanyo, kasama ko na, eh. [19:17] Pero frustrated tayo, pare-pare tayo frustrated. [19:21] Pero may prosesong, may prosesong lokal, yung mga bansa sa European Union, [19:28] na kailangan din natin igalang. [19:30] Diba? [19:31] Ganun lang yung ano. [19:31] So, ICC po, illegal grants? [19:33] Yes. [19:33] Okay. [19:34] The ICC arrest warrant will be served upon. [19:37] Thank you. [19:38] Good afternoon, Justice Secretary. [19:41] Jair Robo Liedo po from Rappler. [19:42] Just a clarification, when we say the warrant has been turned over to the Philippine government, [19:48] are we referring to the PCPC, sir? [19:51] Yes, through the PCPC. [19:53] Okay. [19:53] Second question, I know you just formed the prosecuting panel, [19:57] but how are we treating those who helped Senator De La Rosa escape the Senate compound? [20:04] I know that the investigation is, you know, restricted within the shooting incident, [20:11] but how about the escape? [20:13] No, it's not limited to the shooting incident, [20:18] but I give primacy, kasi medyo nakakataka yun, diba? [20:21] Bakit may nag-discharge ng firearms sa Senado? [20:25] Nalagay sa peligro yung mga kababayan. [20:28] Kayo, kayo mga news reporters, nalagay sa peligro. [20:33] Ano pa yung isang sinabi kanina? [20:35] To clarify with the... [20:36] To clarify. [20:36] So basically, and I don't want to put blames kaagad, diba? [20:41] That would be premature. [20:42] So let's allow the panel to do their work, no? [20:45] I think yung iba-ibang law enforcement agencies, meron na naman silang mga available na mga pirapiraso ng ebidensya. [20:53] Ang ire-request lang namin, isubmit na nila dito sa panel na ito para mapagganaw. [20:57] Kasi sa dulo nito, yung katotohanan kasi ay base sa datos at informasyon. [21:05] So facts will determine the truth. [21:07] And after we determine the truth, then we determine kung sino yung accountable, diba? [21:14] Kung anong kaso yung pwedeng ikaso. [21:17] At yung wala namang kaso, kasi ginamit mo na kanina yung term na escape, eh. [21:21] Ayaw kong pangunahan, diba? [21:23] Kasi escape is also a conclusion. [21:25] Attack is also a term na conclusion, diba? [21:31] So ayaw natin yung pangunahan yung magiging conclusion ng ating panel. [21:36] And then, just a follow-up, Justice Secretary. [21:39] So, in other words po, Interpol na po ba ang ka-operate po natin? [21:46] Kasi nasa PCTC na po. [21:47] Can we say that the, you know, the ICC transmitted the warrant to the Interpol? [21:53] Paano? [21:54] No, no, no. [21:54] In this case, it's not the Interpol. [21:58] It's ICC itself. [22:00] Tandaan natin yung ano, yung, yung ano natin, yung, ah, yung ating PCTC is Philippine Center for Transnational Crime. [22:08] So it's just, it's beyond what only is covered by the Interpol Treaty. [22:14] It also covers itong ICC matters. [22:17] And just last question for me, very, very last, Justice Secretary. [22:22] I know you're still waiting for the SC decision on the PRO, and, but so far, the position of the Department of Justice is, well, we will follow the RA 9851, but we were still waiting for the SC decision. [22:36] So doon po ba sa SC decision magde-decide if we will follow the surrender under IHL law or the extradition? Tama po ba ang aming understanding? [22:46] Ang ganito ang tamang understanding. Makikinig tayo kung anong sasabihin ng Supreme Court. Kasi yun lang po ang tama. Makinig tayo. [22:54] So, siya po ang inatasan ng ating saligang batas na maging final arbiter ng mga usapin na ganito. So makikinig tayo kung siya. [23:02] Hello po, Justice Secretary. Job Manahan from ABS-CBN News. Will there be, tawad dito, whole departure order para kay Sen. De La Rosa following your statement kanina? [23:20] I've issued an ILBO already for him. We've sent notices to our border control authority, basically. So, in effect, if he will be cited or if he will be seen trying to flee the country, he will be arrested. [23:41] Kailan po nirelease yung ILBO? [23:43] It's outstanding. The timeline, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. But I've released already. I signed off on the ILBO already. [23:54] Okay, on the matter, one follow-up lang po. On the matter ng doon sa CCTV, na-mention din tinina kasi, ng OSA na parang wala daw pong copy ng CCTV. [24:04] So, ano pa po kaya yung ibang mga gagamitin nating pieces of evidence para dito? [24:09] Ayaw kong pangunahan yung panel eh. Alam nyo naman eh. Pero yung mga news reporter doon, ang daming naga-streaming. [24:16] Nung nangyayari. So, yung mga nananawagan ulit ako sa mga pwedeng makatulong doon sa investigasyon, bigyan nyo kami ng dagdag na recording at saka ebidensya. [24:28] Okay, three more. Sir, clarify ko lang yung kanina. You said that the soldier will be filing the required comment by tomorrow. [24:44] So, I assume it's electronic. It will be electronically filed. [24:47] After the receipt, it will be the Dilaroza's lawyers have 72 hours of themselves. [24:54] Starting from tomorrow, bambi lang ng sir. Bale, Tuesday, gano'n. Kung sakaling ma-filing lang ba ba? [24:58] Ma'am, my understanding, yes. [24:59] So, by Tuesday, deadline na for Dilaroza's counsel to file the reply. [25:05] If the Supreme Court does not issue any relief after the filing of the reply, would the government consider that there's really no stumbling block to arrest him when found? [25:20] I don't want to speculate what I will decide on on Tuesday, 6.45 p.m. [25:28] Sir, how about yung answer, yung incident last Tuesday? Do you think, kasi that the resolution made clear that the Supreme Court was reserving its right to subsequently issue relief requested by Dilaroza if the situation warrants? [25:44] Under the circumstances, sir, that apparently it was the Senate, well, at first blush, it was the Senate officers who started the gunplay. Do you think it would substantiate further action from the Supreme Court ahead of the filing of the pleadings? [26:01] I don't like to speculate. [26:03] But in your opinion, sir? [26:06] My opinion has no relevance here. Will we follow what the Supreme Court said? [26:10] We will wait for the Supreme Court to, that's after Tuesday, kung sakaling ma-file po bukas. [26:16] Kung meron or something, if uh... [26:18] Kung sakaling ma-file po bukas ng soal, Jen, yung side. [26:20] Amo, pa-file nila. Pa-file nila within the time. [26:23] Oh, with tomorrow, sir, electronically? [26:25] They received the order, 6.44 p.m. last Thursday. [26:31] Thursday ba yan? [26:33] So, basta they have until 6.43 p.m. tomorrow, p.m. [26:38] Sir, Ombudsman Rimuli has made... [26:41] This harsh statement saying that Senator De La Rosa's flight should be construed as evidence of guilt. [26:54] Basically said, flight is evidence of guilt in that context. [26:58] Do you share the same opinion? [27:00] Again, my opinion will not matter and will only add to the confusion, so I'd rather not. [27:06] So, do you agree with Ombudsman Rimuli or not in that position? [27:11] I agree with him on many matters, but I would rather not give an opinion on that matter. [27:17] Thank you, sir. [27:17] Thank you. [27:18] I'll call the last two to sorry, Sir Hans. [27:20] Granted in guilt. [27:22] Sir, magandang hapon po. [27:23] Grant Hilario from Bomboraggio. [27:26] Sir, kanina po nabanggit niyo po na kapag ka nagtangkapo si Sen. Bato De La Rosa na lumabas ng bansa, [27:32] ay a-arrestohin niyo po. [27:34] Ang sistema po ba neto ay saan niyo po siya dadalhin o saan custodia po dadalhin o idediret siya po natin sa ICC sa Netherlands? [27:45] Okay. [27:46] Wala po pong ganong desisyon, pero syempre isinasaalang-alang natin kung ano yung nakasalang sa Korte Suprema na kaso. [27:56] So, sa ngayon po, ayaw ko mag-speculate kung ano po yun. [28:00] Sir, and you've mentioned kanina po na Ilbo po ang in-issue po natin laban kay Sen. Bato De La Rosa. [28:06] And we know that Ilbo is not to prohibit a person na makalis ng bansa. [28:12] Sir, hindi po ba kulang yung Ilbo para hindi makalis ng bansa si Sen. Bato? [28:17] Pero by, kasi yung whole departure order versus Ilbo, di ba? [28:22] Korte nag-i-issue nun Ilbo. [28:23] Pero pag na-hold na siya sa immigration, based on the Ilbo, our immigration authorities will already contact our law enforcement agents. [28:33] A-arrest pa rin na siya. [28:34] Last sir, kanina po si Ombudsman Rimulya ay pinatawa ng preventive suspension si Sgt. At Arms Mount Aplasca. [28:43] Sir, kanina din po si Sen. President Alan Kayatano ay sinasabi na kung sinuspindi, [28:48] ito si Aplasca ay dapat din suspindihin si Atty. Matibag na NBI. [28:54] Ang DOJ po ba as attached agency ang NBI, do we consider to issue a preventive suspension kay NBI Director [29:02] to protect the integrity of the evidence po sa nangyari? [29:06] I don't see any reason issuing any preventive suspension. [29:11] First, no, it's not for the Secretary of Justice, it's not within my authority to do that over Director Melvin Matibag. [29:22] Second, I don't see any reason why Director Melvin Matibag will be suspended or preventively suspended given the current circumstances. [29:33] Last sir, baka may message po kayo kay Sen. De La Rosa po. [29:37] Yan actually, no, kung gugustuhin ni Sen. Bato de La Rosa to be under the protected custody of the DOJ, [29:47] the DOJ would be more than willing to make arrangements with him para hindi na, diba? [29:53] Total, pare-pareho naman, diba? Siya ay halal na senador ng bayan, diba? [29:58] May obligasyon siya sa kaharap ng ano. [30:01] May mga abogado naman siya na mapopoteksyonan yung kanyang mga karapatan. [30:05] Tito sa Department of Justice, diba? Ginagalang namin ang kanyang karapatan, no? [30:10] Ginagalang natin ang magiging desisyon ng Supreme Court. [30:13] So, para wala na rin confusion, tandaan niyo ho, ang nakakadagdag sa confusion, diba? [30:20] Yung misinformation, no? [30:22] Kaya kayo nasa media, tulungan niyo rin kami, correct natin, no? [30:27] Kaya nga itong fact-finding malaking bagay, mga kababayan ko, [30:31] the only thing that will set us free on this is finding out the truth kung ano nangyari from May 11 to May 14. [30:41] Hi, sir. [30:42] Sir, can the people who help Senator De La Rosa be held liable for obstruction of justice? [30:50] I don't want to preempt yung desisyon. [30:52] Pero, sir, yung mismong pagtulong po, sir, and may valid ICC arrest warrant po siya, hindi po ba yun? [31:03] Again, I don't want to preempt yung ano, diba? [31:07] Kasi, remember, I'm the Secretary of Justice, no? [31:10] The panel of prosecutors are under me. [31:13] And there are legal remedies available for anyone, diba? [31:18] Kaya na mapayla ng kaso ng mga piskal kay Secretary of Justice. [31:22] Ayoko ipreempt, diba? [31:24] Huwag na natin ipreempt. [31:25] Kasi yan ang nakakadagdag sa kalituhan. [31:29] Sir, considering hindi po natin alam yung exact location po ni Senator De La Rosa ngayon, [31:34] can he be considered a fugitive from justice? [31:37] A technical term yan. [31:40] So, let's leave it at that, no? [31:44] It's a very technical term under the legal processes. [31:48] Okay. [31:49] Okay, sir, next question naman po. [31:51] So, yung hiling niya po kanina is for the Senate to turn him over once the legal matters are resolved. [31:57] Ano naman po ang next step ng DOJ if hindi po siya i-turn over ng Senate, [32:02] considering they've been very protective of him these past few days? [32:06] Again, I don't want to preempt or to telegraph the moves of the Department of Justice on this matter. [32:14] Okay, yan at the top. [32:15] Sir, sorry. [32:16] Okay, na job. [32:17] Few more questions, sir. [32:18] One more, one more. [32:19] Ask one more from you. [32:20] Ano naman po, sir, gaano po tayo katagal maghihintay ng decision po ng Supreme Court? [32:26] Kasi yung petition po ng former President Duterte and ni Senator Bato, [32:32] it's been 14 months, sir, and wala pa din pong decision. [32:36] So, until when? [32:37] Are we going to wait po? [32:38] So, I don't want to preempt also, let's wait for further developments of that. [32:46] Thank you, John. [32:46] Sir, sir, one question. [32:48] Can you limit it to one? [32:49] Sir, may you? [32:51] Hi, Secretary. [32:53] Yes, Dr. Luz. [32:54] Hi, Sir. [32:54] Tristan from Newswatch Plus. [32:56] Sir, we just want to understand, anong pagkakaiba nitong enforcement ng ICC arrest warrant kay Senator De La Rosa at kay former President Rodrigo Duterte? [33:06] Because right now, siyempre po iba yung nangyayari as compared to the expectation of the public na same route yung nangyayari kay former President Duterte. [33:19] So, just help us understand, sir, on anong difference nitong dalawang scenario. [33:23] Itong mga nakalipas na araw at linggo, ang dami pong law expert na lumabas, no? [33:29] Marami tayong nababasa, di ba? [33:32] Pero pag tinignan po natin kasi, to the extent that we will not touch on the pending matter in the Supreme Court, may dalawa po kasi pwedeng daanan, di ba? [33:45] Yung isa, di ba, yung ICC, in-invoke niya yung pagiging member din ng Interpol. [33:51] So, nakiusap siya sa Interpol, di ba? [33:55] Tulungan niya naman kami mag-serve nito, di ba? [33:58] At ang isang bansa, tulad ng Pilipinas, na member ng Interpol, may commitment sa Interpol, di ba? [34:08] So, ang sinasabi rin ng batas, pag sinerve yung diffusion o yung red notice, di ba? [34:15] Sa isang domestic state, karapatan, halimbawa dito, Pilipinas, [34:20] karapatan ng Pilipinas, na tingbangin kung ano ang valor ng red notice o yung diffusion. [34:28] At ang pwede niyang disisyon, isurrender, di ba? [34:32] May isa rin paraan dito, yung mga kaso laban sa crimes against humanity for murder, di ba? [34:41] Itong IHL, di ba? International Monetary Law, [34:44] RA-9851, di ba? [34:48] Na ang nagbidinig ay ang ICC, di ba? [34:52] Mayroon din pamumaraan. [34:53] Sinasabi din, sinuruan din tayo ng ano, [34:56] na ang Pilipinas ay nag-withdraw officially dun sa kaso yung, [35:01] sa Enre Pangilina, no, no? [35:03] I think it's the Supreme Court case, [35:05] na sinasabi, [35:06] As of March 17, 2019, wala na ang Pilipinas. [35:13] Pero, sa lahat ng aksyon o krimen na ginawa bago mag-March 17, 2019, [35:22] covered pa rin. [35:24] At lahat ng incident na usapin tungkol doon, [35:29] ay nasasaklaw pa rin ng usapin ng ICC. [35:33] At ano, dalawa ang tulak kasi. [35:37] Kailangan may inisyong arrest warrant ng ICC at may request ng ICC. [35:40] At sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa kasalukuyan, [35:44] may inisyo silang arrest warrant [35:45] at mayroon silang request na iserve natin. [35:50] Anong ginagawa ngayon, Department of Justice? [35:53] Dahil nga sa kakaibang sitwasyon, [35:55] ano yung sitwasyon? [35:57] Seating senator si Senator Bato. [36:00] Di ba? [36:01] Tapos may pending Supreme Court decision. [36:05] Ayaw naman natin pangunahan ng Supreme Court. [36:08] Di ba? [36:08] Kaya ang sinabi ng DOJ, [36:11] di ba, [36:11] sa kabila na mayroong arrest warrant at may request ng ICC, [36:17] teka-teka muna. [36:19] Di ba? [36:20] Kasi timbangin natin, [36:22] di ba, [36:22] ayaw natin mabaliwala yung pending case. [36:26] Di ba? [36:27] Ayaw din natin sansalain yung sensitivities ng Senado. [36:32] Okay. [36:33] Pero ang tulad ng sinabi ko, [36:36] kung siya naman ay magtatangkan, lumabas ng Pilipinas, [36:39] teka, ibang usapan yan. [36:42] Di ba? [36:42] Kaya po, ganun ang kautusan ng inyong Secretary of Justice. [36:47] Okay? [36:47] Maliwanag na maliwanag yan. [36:48] Tingin ko ho, [36:49] para ho mawala yung chaos, [36:51] mawala yung kalituhan, [36:53] at sana po, [36:54] kumapit lang tayo [36:55] dun sa factual, no? [36:57] Magtulungan niyo rin kami, [36:59] magganun, [36:59] mag-fact check, no? [37:01] Kasi yun ho, [37:01] nagdadala ng kalituhan. [37:03] Okay? [37:04] So, muli po, [37:07] last one, last one, last one, ha? [37:09] May... [37:09] Yes, sir. [37:10] We don't tell things po. [37:11] Dante, I meant of UNTV. [37:13] Sir, yun nga po, [37:14] issue ngayon yung [37:15] presence ng mga NBI doon na armado. [37:18] Ah, nakipag-coordinate po ba sa inyo [37:20] si NBI Director Matibag? [37:21] Alam niyo po ba yung deployment ng NBI [37:24] sa GSIS? [37:25] And even on Monday, [37:27] armado yung NBI sa labas ng Senado? [37:31] Yun po, sir. [37:32] Mayroon bang proper coordination? [37:34] Alam niyo ba itong galaw ni [37:36] Attorney Matibag? [37:37] Yes. [37:39] Yes. [37:42] Okay? [37:42] Okay na, ha? [37:43] Maraming maraming salamat po. [37:44] Magandang hapon sa inyo. [37:47] Thank you.