A prominent Filipino human rights lawyer, Ephraim Cortez, has warned that Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa’s active avoidance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant could severely damage former President Rodrigo Duterte’s hopes for temporary release. Cortez, who leads the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, argues that the Senate’s recent decision to facilitate and protect dela Rosa’s escape from authorities sends a troubling signal to the ICC. He suggests that this move demonstrates the enduring political influence of the Duterte camp, potentially heightening concerns that the former president could use any interim freedom to intimidate witnesses or obstruct the ongoing trial.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s newly appointed legal counsel, Peter Haynes, is pushing for the former leader's release by emphasizing a supposed decline in his health. Citing the need for a comprehensive review of his physical and mental state before proceedings continue, the defense aims to leverage periodic 120-day reviews mandated by the ICC to argue for humanitarian relief. However, experts believe the ICC will likely weigh these medical claims against the risk of flight, noting that the blatant disregard for legal warrants shown by Duterte’s allies may ultimately lead the court to deny the request to ensure he remains available for prosecution.