Veteran broadcast journalist Lynda Jumilla openly criticized Senator Bato dela Rosa for his recent statement regarding the International Criminal Court’s potential arrest.
In a tweet on Thursday, January 15, Jumilla didn’t hold back in addressing dela Rosa’s recent remarks, stating, “amaccana accla… deym, I’ve been wanting to say that.”
amaccana accla.
deym, i’ve been wanting to say that 💪🏼 https://t.co/gIco08MpEZ
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) January 25, 2024
Jumilla’s response was prompted by the Senator’s condemnation of Filipinos who were advocating for his ICC arrest due to his involvement in implementing Rodrigo Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang as part of the war on drugs campaign.
On Wednesday, January 24, dela Rosa dismissed his critics supporting his ICC arrest, suggesting that these individuals lack love for the country and should be tasked with singing the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, 1000 times to remind them of their supposed obligation to love the nation.
“Ewan ko bakit itong mga bleeding hearts na gustong gustong i-surrender ang ating sovereignty doon sa foreign bodies. Hindi sila nagmamahal sa ating bansa. Gustong gusto nilang i-surrender at gustong gusto nilang babastusin ang ating mga korte. Siguro dapat ang mga Pilipino na ito dapat ay pakantahin natin ng 1000 times ng bayang magiliw para matuto silang magmahal ng bansa.”
Apart from Jumilla, several netizens also criticized Bato for his self-serving rhetoric.
@tantanerz ironically pointed out that the senator claims to love the country while not even knowing the title of the national anthem.
“Title nga ng National Anthem hindi mo alam, tapos you call yourself patriotic? For someone who thinks that stripping people of their constitutional rights is fair game, you blabber too much. Urong tumbong mo no, I live for the day that I get to see this clown’s ass behind bars.”
Title nga ng National Anthem hindi mo alam, tapos you call yourself patriotic? For someone who thinks that stripping people of their constitutional rights is fair game, you blabber too much.
Urong tumbong mo no, I live for the day that I get to see this clown's ass behind bars. https://t.co/LVDb8zx2jp
— N8 🇵🇭🇯🇵🌸🌱 (@TanTanerz_) January 25, 2024
Similarly, LGBT advocate and activist Perci Cendena expressed disapproval of dela Rosa, tweeting, “STOP WHINING, BATO. Justice and accountability will eventually catch up with you. Also, it’s Lupang Hinirang not “bayang magiliw”.”
STOP WHINING, BATO. Justice and accountability will eventually catch up with you. Also, it’s Lupang Hinirang not “bayang magiliw” https://t.co/oEHuM2Mz5E
— MaderPerci 🏳️🌈 (@PerciCen) January 25, 2024
@kenjirigor emphasized that people criticizing the senator love the country, evident in their support for the ICC probe.
“Of course we love our country, kaya nga suportado namin na makulong kayo ni katay Digs sa the Hague.”
Of course we love our country, kaya nga suportado namin na makulong kayo ni katay Digs sa the Hague. https://t.co/n84sts9XqH
— Rigor (@KenjiRigor) January 25, 2024
Similarly, @van_j12 shared the sentiment, stating that their love for the country extends beyond traditional politicians whom they deem as useless.
“we love our country, not sum filthy useless garbage dirtball politicians like you and your co-trapos”
we love our country, not sum filthy useless garbage dirtball politicians like you and your co-trapos 🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻 https://t.co/STy2gmoSgE
— vanium 🎀🩸 (@Van_J12) January 25, 2024
@mommygreys01 challenged dela Rosa to surrender to local courts, admitting his responsibilities in the war on drugs, to obviate the need for ICC involvement.
“Dear Sen. Bato, If sovereignty is a big issue for you then just surrender yourself and admit the lapses of the drug war. In that case, the ICC won’t be needed. Para win-win tayo. Deal???”
Dear Sen. Bato,
If sovereignty is a big issue for you then just surrender yourself and admit the lapses of the drug war. In that case, the ICC won’t be needed. Para win-win tayo. Deal??? https://t.co/j1T8GYY7nh— E.G. (@mommygreys01) January 25, 2024
@cagvalmakabayan on the other hand said “THOSE WHO ARE RESISTANT TO THE ICC INVESTIGATION ARE PROBABLY GUILTY OF SOMETHING.”
THOSE WHO ARE RESISTANT TO THE ICC INVESTIGATION ARE PROBABLY GUILTY OF SOMETHING. https://t.co/zJHvXhC9aU
— Cagayan Valley Makabayan (@CagValMakabayan) January 25, 2024