Bato not in contact with counsel

THE LEGAL counsel for Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela

Rosa said they have had no recent communication with the lawmaker, whose month-long absence from the Senate coincides with reports of an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Isra

elito P. Torr

eon, a Davao-based lawyer speaking on behalf of the senator’s legal interests, gave a brief “No” when asked whether Mr. Dela Rosa

had been in contact with him recently. The admiss

ion comes amid reports the senator has not attended plenary sessions or committee hearings since Nov. 11, when word came out that the ICC had allegedly issued an arrest warrant against him. The Depart

ment of the Interior and Local Government said on Friday that it has tapped local authorities to monitor the senator’s movements, saying it is “trying to be steps ahead” in anticipation of a possible warrant. However, Mr. Tor

reon said any

potential enforcement of an ICC warrant is “legally premature and constitutionally infirm.” “Any action premised

on a supposed ICC arrest warrant remains legally premature and constitutionally infirm,” Mr. Torreon told BusinessWor