By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang accused allies of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday of fanning speculation that fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa had been arrested, calling it a ploy to divert public attention from her impeachment trial.
On Tuesday night, social media went abuzz with posts hinting at Dela Rosa’s arrest on orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his role in the Duterte drug war. Among them were cryptic messages from one of the senator’s lawyers, Jimmy Bondoc, and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Bondoc was the first to alert supporters that “Bad news is coming. Pray hard that it is not true, for the good of the nation,” followed by Roque, who further teased that “Meron nga daw nang-hudas kay Bato (Someone indeed has reportedly betrayed Bato).”
The posts came hours after former state auditor Roderick Wamil testified at the Senate impeachment court for the second day regarding the documentation—or lack thereof—of the millions of pesos in confidential funds granted to the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
