The political landscape in the Philippines has once again been shaken to its core, not by an election result or a legislative act, but by a single, explosive, and unverified claim. The claim comes from a high-ranking administration official, Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who alleged that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a key figure in the previous administration’s controversial “bloody war on drugs.” This stunning pronouncement, which suggested Dela Rosa might “spend Christmas in The Hague, Netherlands” alongside former President Rodrigo Duterte (who himself was reportedly detained earlier in 2025), has immediately transcended a simple legal issue and morphed into a defining battleground for the country’s political future.

The ensuing narrative, strongly pushed by commentators and independent media, is that this alleged ICC warrant is not a simple matter of international justice, but a calculated, politically motivated strategy engineered by the current administration. The goal, according to these analyses, is clear: to discredit and disqualify the popular and formidable political bloc associated with the Duterte name—a group seen as the primary obstacle to the incumbent administration’s ambitions for the 2028 elections.

The Bombshell and the Immediate Skepticism
The news, detailed in reports citing Ombudsman Remulla’s public statement, suggested that the arrest warrant for Senator Dela Rosa—who served as the Chief of the Philippine National Police during the launch of the anti-drug campaign—is linked to his role in the drug war. However, the initial shock was immediately met with profound skepticism and distrust from those loyal to the Duterte camp and critics of the current government.

Independent commentators and vloggers quickly characterized the claim as a deliberate political maneuver. The speaker in the video voiced this strong skepticism, stating unequivocally, “This is really part of their plan,” and issuing a sharp warning to the public: “Don’t be fooled.” The immediate reaction was not one of accepting a legal development, but of recognizing a political war being waged under the guise of international accountability.

The suspicion is deeply rooted in the context of the upcoming 2028 national elections. Senator Bato dela Rosa, along with Senator Bong Go and Vice President Sara Duterte, are considered major political threats—strong, popular contenders who could challenge the incumbent power structure. The prevailing critique from the opposition is that the current administration will “do everything to discredit” or “disqualify” these figures, engaging in what is bitterly termed “dirty politics.”

This criticism stems from the belief that the current administration “cannot accept that they lost” and are “rejected by the people,” while the Duterte-led political faction remains “loved by the people.” The commentary forcefully argues that in a democracy, the will of the majority should be respected, and that attempts to undermine popular figures through legal or quasi-legal means betray the fundamental principles of representative governance.

The Allegations of Complicity and Systemic Bias
The political analysis did not stop at mere accusation; it delved into deeper, darker allegations of complicity. The speaker accused the administration of being “kasabwat” (accomplices) with the ICC, or even being the originators of the idea for the ICC to pursue these cases against the Duterte allies. This charge suggests a systemic bias and a complete lack of faith in the impartiality of the current justice system and administration officials.

Statements emanating from the current government are often dismissed as “kabangagan” (nonsense) and “kabaliktaran” (the opposite of truth) by critics, reflecting a deep-seated distrust. This sentiment led to a stark warning directed at Senator Bato dela Rosa: he must “not to trust the administration” or the current justice system, as it is viewed as potentially being biased to prevent the “Duterte group” from running in the 2028 elections. The only hope, the speaker concluded, lies in a belief in divine justice, stating that “goodness… cannot be suppressed by evil.”

The political implications of the ICC warrant claims are thus viewed not through a legal lens, but as a struggle for the nation’s political soul, where powerful forces are allegedly working together to neutralize perceived opponents and shape the outcome of future elections.

Dela Rosa’s Defiance and the Senate’s Stance
Amidst the swirling rumors, Senator Dela Rosa’s public response was one of defiance, stating that he is “ready to join the old man” (referring to Duterte) in detention if the warrant is confirmed, showing solidarity with his political mentor.

The report also highlighted the position of the Senate itself, with Senate President Tito Sotto affirming that the Senate would not allow an arrest within its premises in a bid to preserve its dignity and institutional integrity. While this provides a temporary sanctuary, the Senate leader made it clear that outside the legislature, the matter is beyond their control. This stance raises dramatic questions about the future: will Senator Dela Rosa resist an actual arrest, or will he submit, turning himself into a martyr for the political cause? The initial period of verification and waiting, similar to the process surrounding the previous Red Notice for Duterte, serves only to heighten the public tension and political stakes.

Even Human Rights groups mentioned in the news report, who welcomed the reported warrant, were immediately dismissed by the commentator as “dilawan” (a term often used to denote political opposition or liberal critics) and as politically motivated. The argument remains that Duterte’s actions were intended to “only protected the Filipino people,” while his opponents “try to paint Duterte as evil” and are merely weaponizing human rights concerns for political gain.

The Propaganda War: Deny, Deflect, Discredit
The political climate of suspicion was further amplified by a segment from Attorney Vic’s vlog, played by the speaker, which critically analyzed the alleged “propaganda” tactics of the current administration. This strategy was summarized by the chilling phrase: “deny, deflect, discredit.”

Attorney Vic explained this playbook:

Deny: The administration denies any wrongdoing or problematic internal issues.

Deflect: They deflect blame onto the previous administration or external factors.

Discredit: When they cannot control the narrative, they discredit independent social media sites or content creators as “fake news.”

This systematic critique highlights the perceived manipulation of the information landscape, where mainstream media is allegedly controlled to only show positive news, thus creating a sanitized, unreliable public narrative. The commentator welcomes those labeled as “trolls” to his page, viewing them simply as individuals interested in the truth, further underscoring the deep rift in public trust and the ongoing struggle for control over political discourse.

The alleged ICC warrant for Senator Bato dela Rosa is now fully framed as the latest salvo in this high-stakes political war. It has exposed the deep mistrust between political factions, confirmed the willingness of both sides to use any tool—legal or informational—at their disposal, and ultimately cemented the perception that the battle for the 2028 elections is already underway.