Latest news with #DelaRosa
Filipino Times
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace Refutes Bato's Diversion Claim, Says ICC Warrant Threat Is Real
Malacañang on Friday rejected Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa's claim that the Palace is reviving the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue to divert attention from controversies surrounding First Lady Liza Marcos. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the ICC matter remains active, emphasizing the ongoing possibility of an arrest warrant issuance. 'This isn't an old or recycled issue,' Castro said, asserting that the Palace only responds to media inquiries, not to manipulate public discourse. Dela Rosa, who is under ICC preliminary scrutiny due to his role in the Duterte-era drug war, accused the Palace of using the ICC to distract from a now-debunked police report allegedly involving the First Lady. Castro dismissed the accusation, reiterating that the controversial police report had already been confirmed as altered by the Beverly Hills Police Department. She questioned why critics, including Dela Rosa, continue to give weight to false narratives.
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Bato to skip Marcos 4th SONA: Ayokong makipag-plastikan
Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa said Thursday that he will not be attending the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on July 28. Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, confirmed this in a phone interview with reporters, emphasizing that he does not want to pretend to be on good terms with certain officials from Malacañang and the House of Representatives during the event. 'Ayaw ko magkipag-plastikan. Alangan naman pupunta 'ko doon na nakasimangot. Pangit, diba? Alangan naman pupunta ko doon na pa-smile-smile kahit na masama ang loob 'ko sa kanila,' the senator said. (I don't want to pretend and go there frowning. That's not good to look at. Why would I go there with a fake smile when I'm upset with them?) 'So, ano pa? Makipag-plastikan ako doon sa mga congressman na masama ang loob ko. Hindi naman lahat ng congressman, pero may mga congressman doon na masama ang loob ko at mayroon ding mga tao sa Malacañang na masama ang loob ko. So, bakit ako makipag-plastikan?' (For what purpose? I don't want to pretend in front of congressmen I'm upset with. Not all congressmen, but there are those in the Congress and Malacañang I have something against. Why should I pretend to be okay with them?) Dela Rosa also clarified that skipping Marcos' SONA this year was his personal decision, and other senators in the so-called Duterte bloc may decide on the matter on their own. The 'Duter7' senators include Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, and Imee Marcos. Asked for his expectations on what will be included in the presidential speech, Dela Rosa floated the possibility of Marcos mentioning the supposed arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the war on drugs. 'I will expect na i-insist ni Secretary Bersamin 'yung sinabi niya,' he quipped. (I expect that [Executive] Secretary [Lucas] Bersamin will insist on what he previously said.) The police officer-turned-senator was referring to an earlier statement by Bersamin that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the ICC issues a warrant of arrest. Malacañang, meanwhile, said it has yet to receive communication in that regard. Dela Rosa also said that he no longer has expectations from the Marcos administration. 'Wala na akong expectation sa gobyerno na ito. Hope na lang, hope. Ayaw ko nang umasa. Wala na lang ako, nag-hope na lang ako na mag-focus sila na pagandahin ang buhay ng Pilipinas. 'Yun na lang ang aking hope,' he said. (I have no more expectations from this government. I just hope. I don't want to expect anymore. I just hope that they will focus on making the life of the Filipinos better. That's my only hope.) Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration and was the chief implementer of the war on drugs. Former president Rodrigo Duterte is now detained at The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during the controversial drug war. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace: No word yet if arrest warrant out vs. Bato, others in Duterte drug war
Malacañang said Thursday it has yet to receive communication if an arrest warrant has already been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and other alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in his drug war. At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Kyodo News that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the International Criminal Court issues a warrant of arrest. "Sa ngayon, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication kung mayroon na pong warrant of arrest para sa mga co-perpetrators ni dating Pangulong Duterte," Castro said. (At present, we have not received any communication if there's a warrant of arrest against former President Duterte's co-perpetrators.) In March, it was reported that nine individuals were tagged as co-perpetrators of the former president as shown in the application of warrant of arrest posted in the ICC website. There were particular individuals who were named because of their role in the previous administration's controversial campaign against illegal drugs. Among them was Dela Rosa, who was identified as the architect of "Oplan Tokhang," which was first implemented in Davao City when he was then the local police chief. Dela Rosa later served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who led the nationwide implementation of the war on drugs under the Duterte administration. The former top cop earlier tagged himself as the number two accused in the ICC case against the former president. Dela Rosa admitted before that he was considering hiding and not surrendering in the event that authorities implement a warrant of arrest issued by the tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands. Incumbent PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said authorities are planning contingencies amid the possible issuance of an arrest warrant. Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Gilas Pilipinas Women hold off Lebanon for first win in FIBA Asia Cup
Gilas Pilipinas squandered a double-digit lead, but showed poise in the endgame to gut out a 73-70 win against Lebanon in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup on Wednesday in China. The Filipinas thus barged into the win column of the continental tournament with a 1-2 card while Lebanon ended the group stage winless at 0-3. More importantly, the Philippines will remain in Division A while Lebanon will take on the last-seeded team in the other group in the battle for seventh place, where the loser will be relegated to Division B. The Philippines has also secured a spot in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments as it is already assured to finish within the top six of the ongoing Asia Cup. Jack Animam picked up where she left off, detonating for a huge double-double effort of 14 points and 16 rebounds to go with five assists and three steals while young gun Naomi Panganiban top-scored with 15 markers laced with four boards, three dimes, and one steal. Gilas started off hot with Animam completing a three-point play that brought the Filipinas to a 29-12 lead at the end of the opening frame, but Lebanon put on a huge second quarter barrage that sliced Gilas' lead to just four at the break, 41-37. Lebanon continued to lean on Jillian Archer and Rebcca Akl in the third as they regained a slim 57-55 cushion before heading to the crucial fourth period. Gilas then proved it is not a one-woman show with the likes of Sumayah Sugapong, Vanessa de Jesus, and Kacey Dela Rosa sparking a 6-0 run to open the payoff period. Animam scored back-to-back baskets before Dela Rosa completed a layup off an offensive rebound and assist from Panganiban, 67-62. Lebanon responded with two quick points, but Gilas turned to Dela Rosa and Sugapong anew as the two created a 71-66 separation in the final 1:50. Dela Rosa would foul out and Lebanon took advantage of it, sinking four straight free throws to trim their deficit to just a point with 29 ticks left to play, 71-70. Panganiban showed composure at the stripe, calmly knocking down the game-winning freebies as Gilas kept its title contention alive. Gilas will next take on the second-seeded team in Group A on Friday, where the winner will earn a semifinals berth. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pia Cayetano reports P169M campaign donations in Eleksyon 2025
Reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano received the highest contributions among the 12 winning senators in the May 2025 midterm polls, taking more than P169 million in donations to power her campaign. Based on her statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCEs), Cayetano received P169.62 million worth of donations for her senatorial bid, of which P156.85 million was in cash. A total of P12.77 million, meanwhile, was in kind. Cayetano reported spending P162 million for the senatorial race. Meanwhile, reelectionist Senator Ronald dela Rosa trailed Cayetano, receiving P160.6 million worth of donations. Of this amount, cash contributions were at P128 million while in-kind donations stood at P32.6 million. Dela Rosa, in his submission to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said he spent P128.7 million for his campaign. Reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid followed Dela Rosa after reporting more than P160.30 million in cash contributions—the highest among the so-called Magic 12. Lapid indicated in his SOCE that he did not receive any in-kind donations. He spent P163.58 million for his campaign expenditures. Senator Ping Lacson received the highest in-kind campaign contributions with P118.51 million, but only spent P18.96 million for his campaign. No donations received Meanwhile, some senatorial candidates stated in their SOCEs that they did not receive any cash or in-kind donations for their campaign. They include neophyte Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who reported P112.86 million in campaign expenditures. Other senatorial candidates who also did not receive election contributions, based on their SOCEs, include losing candidates Jose Montemayor Jr., who had zero campaign expenses; TV host Willie Revillame, who spent P104.70 million for the senatorial race; retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin; and former Valenzuela representative Eric Martinez. Senator Camille Villar is the biggest spender in the recent Eleksyon 2025, incurring more than P179.6 million in campaign expenses. Section 13 of Republic Act 7166 provides the limits of authorized expenses of candidates and political parties. It states that candidates vying for presidency and vice presidency may spend up to P10 for every registered voter. Among senatorial candidates, aspirants with political parties are allowed to spend P3 for every voter, while independent candidates may spend up to P5. Political parties, meanwhile, are allowed up to P5 for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates. The Comelec set the deadline for the SOCE submissions on June 11. — VDV, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
