PDP-Laban urges SC to promptly rule on Duterte, Dela Rosa petitions

MANILA — Members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa held an indignation rally outside the Supreme Court in Manila on Tuesday, calling for the immediate resolution of pending petitions involving the two political figures.

The group also submitted an open letter to the Supreme Court, which the party said had already been received by the tribunal.

In the two-page letter dated October 31, PDP-Laban appealed for the prompt resolution of G.R. No. 278747, or Duterte and dela Rosa v. Bersamin, et al., as well as the consolidated petitions for writ of habeas corpus concerning the former president.

The party stressed that it was not asking the High Court to rule in favor of Duterte and Dela Rosa, but simply asking to issue a decision on the pending cases, regardless of the outcome.

In an interview, PDP-Laban national spokesperson Ferdinand Topacio said the letter was intended to address what the party considers a delay in resolving the legal questions surrounding the cases.

“Ito pong liham na ito, consisting of two pages, ay naglalayon, hindi upang himukin ang Korte Suprema to decide one way or the other … Ang aming kahilingan lang po namin ay pagdesisyunan na because may kasabihan po, ‘The law abhors the vacuum,'” he said.

Topacio said the cases involve questions on whether an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, which did not go through Philippine courts and domestic legal processes, can be enforced in the country.

He reiterated that the party would respect whatever ruling the Supreme Court would issue.

Topacio also questioned the government’s decision to offer a P50-million reward for information leading to dela Rosa’s whereabouts, pointing out that the senator has no local arrest warrant.

He maintained that the Supreme Court should settle the legal questions surrounding the matter.

In its open letter, PDP-Laban also cited the constitutional guarantee of speedy disposition of cases, noting that the consolidated habeas corpus petitions concerning Duterte had been pending for nearly 600 days.

The party further raised concerns over the potential consequences of prolonged uncertainty surrounding dela Rosa’s case, particularly amid the government’s enforcement of the ICC warrant.

It also emphasized that it would pursue its appeal through peaceful and lawful means and called on the government to exercise the same restraint.