Can a Senator of the Philippines be Arrested Inside the Senate Premises for Crimes Against Humanity?

Mel Sta. Maria, a lawyer, law professor, and former dean of Far Eastern University's law school asked and answered this question on a Facebook post in light of the Senate drama that involved Senator Bato Dela Rosa and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 11, 2026.

*Answer begins here:

YES. The reasons can easily by explained.

FIRST. Is the Senate building being rented? If yes, then the people are paying for the rental. Is the Senate building owned by the government? If yes, then it belongs to the People. There is no law expressly making the premises of the senate a safe haven for fugitives or those charged with the commission of a crime.

SECOND. No senator has any proprietary interest in that building. No senator owns it. It is not a fortress designed to protect erring people from authorities or a foreign embassy where Philippine Law has waived jurisdiction. A criminal or a fugitive from justice can be arrested inside the building.

THIRD. A senator is only immune from arrest while the Senate is in session and if the penalty of the alleged crime is below six (6) years imprisonment. According to Republic Act No. 9851, crime against humanity where death occured is punishable by reclusion perpetua ( 40 years). 

FOURTH. Republic Act No. 9851 provides that the Philippines can allow an international tribunal to investigate or try a persons charged of crime against humanity if it is already investigating or trying such persons and, if need be, deliver the said persons to the tribunal. ( Section 17) . This is in accordance with the generally accepted principle of law declaring that crime against humanity is a universal crime. By the way, generally accepted principles of law according to our constitution are adopted by our country as part of the law of the land.   

FIFTH. The warrant of arrest of the ICC is valid. The bill of rights of the Constitution provides that no one can be arrested without a warrant of arrest issued by a judge. The word "judge" is not qualified and hence it can refer to a local judge or a foreign judge whose jurisdiction the Philippines has accepted. 

SIXTH. Crime against Humanity involves an international element where the Executive Department must be given the greatest respect in its determination and enforcement. Foreign policy, peace and order, apprehension of a fugitive are executive functions. The Legislature should not interfere in the performance of such executive functions as this would violate the separation of powers.

SEVENTH. NBI personnel are within their rights to run after a fugitive from justice or persons charged with a crime. Also, there is a presumption of regularity of government enforcements.  

EIGHT. The Senate must NOT coddle and protect a fugitive. That is obstruction of justice. No one is above the law.

NINTH. There is no law expressly providing a so-called " Senate Protective-Custody" as an exemption to the enforcement of a warrant of arrest.

TENTH. Unless stopped by the Supreme Court, the enforcement of a valid arrest must proceed. No one is above the law.

*Answer ends here. 

Senator Kiko Pangilinan Calls on DILG Secretary Johnvic Remulla to Ensure the Identification of Catalina Cabral's Body

In a post on his official Facebook account, Senator Kiko Pangilinan called on Secretary Johnvic Remulla of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to "check if the remains of former Usec. Cathy Cabral were properly identified by the authorities concerned". 

Pangilinan explained that proper identification of the body is very important because billions of pesos are involved in the corruption scandals that Cabral has been tagged in. Cabral was a former Undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

Pangilinan added that faking death to escape criminal liability has happened before in the Philippines. He cited in his post the recent case of Mary Ann Maslog. 

Ataw Shopping Center in La Trinidad, Benguet

The location of the Ataw Shopping Center in La Trinidad, Benguet is along Km. 4. It's beside SM Savemore and Tiong San La Trinidad. 

It's easy to spot because of the large sign on the building. Across the street from the building is the Baguio Cafe and Restaurant.

Igorot Backpack Made from Cowhide

This is a backpack made from sun-dried cowhide. It's uncomfortable to wear because of the hardened hide. It hasn't been prepared, cured or tanned for it to have the qualities of leather. But it's tough and protects whatever you're carrying from the natural elements.

Making bags, pouches, and other types of material belongings from cowhides was practiced back in the day. But it wasn't very common because only members of the villages with considerable wealth can afford cows and other beasts of burden. Besides, cowhides were consumed as food majority of the time. These were often dried, preserved, and set aside for times of food scarcity.

PMA Cadets Performing a Silent Drill.in Baguio City

December 7, 2025 - Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy Talang Dangal Class of 2026 performed a silent drill in front of a gathered audience at the Melvin Jones football grounds in Baguio City.