Senator Alan Peter Cayetano issued a strong statement on Saturday addressing reports of an alleged arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against fellow Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, emphasizing the importance of due process and the rule of law in the face of politically charged controversies.

Cayetano cited the Supreme Court’s Rules on Extradition Proceedings as a vital reminder that justice must be grounded in legal principles, not in political winds or personal biases. “The Court has drawn the line clearly: extradition, and all acts of justice, must be rooted in law and due process, not in bias or emotion,” he said.

While not confirming the existence of the ICC warrant, Cayetano stressed that every Filipino — regardless of rank or position — is entitled to equal protection under the law. “No one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection,” he declared, adding that the Constitution serves both to shield the powerless and to hold the powerful accountable.

The senator called on Senate leadership to demonstrate its commitment to fairness and integrity, urging the chamber to uphold the same standards for its members that it would for any ordinary citizen. “Let us show that the Senate stands not for privilege, but for fairness,” he said.

Cayetano also warned against the misuse of legal mechanisms for political ends, saying, “Justice must never be used to settle political scores, but to serve truth. The law must not be a weapon to divide us, but a bridge that unites us.”

His statement comes amid growing public scrutiny over the ICC’s investigation into alleged human rights violations during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, in which Dela Rosa played a prominent role as former Philippine National Police chief.

Cayetano concluded with a call for national reflection, asserting that the strength of the nation lies not in political power but in principles, conscience, and faith.