Senate Pres. Tito Sotto Asked about Sen. Bato dela Rosa amid Latter’s Prolonged Absence
BATO DELA ROSA
– The Senator remained on absence without leave (AWOL) as the Senate resumed its session as the holiday break is over.
lawyer of Dela Rosa previously expressed his belief that the Filipino people allegedly understands the situation
of the Senator. He has supposedly gone into hiding after Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that the International Criminal Court has allegedly issued an arrest warrant against him.
After the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 11, 2025, Sen. Bato dela Rosa has become vocal that he is allegedly the next target of the ICC for its investigation of the Duterte drug war. He was the first chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the term of Duterte.
Dela Rosa has changed his stance multiple times over the supposed ICC arrest warrant against him. There were instances when he claimed that he is willing to join Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands while there were also moments when he confirmed that he will not allow to be under trial before foreign entities.
On his 64th birthday, Sen. Dela Rosa released an official statement
wherein he claimed that it will allegedly be an insult to the Philippine heroes and the soldiers if he will yield to the foreigners. According to him, he remains composed, patient, and dignified amid the issue.
Amid the supposed hiding of the Senator, his colleagues have different say. Senate Pres. Tito Sotto and minority Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that Dela Rosa’s office remains functional despite his no show during the Senate sessions. As for Senate President Pro Tempore
Ping Lacson, he believes that Sen. Bato dela Rosa should return to work. According to him, his hiding does not make sense
to him as there is no arrest warrant presented against against him.
“Hindi pa eh… I have not heard any information from Senator Bato,”
the Senate President said.
📸: Rollingstone Philippines
Despite his no show in the Senate sessions, Sen. Dela Rosa has been carrying out his duties remotely through most of the staff in his office. Based on the
report
, he was even able to sign the so-called report of the minority bloc on the flood control issue in the country now.
Amid his supposed “hiding” and the former President’s ICC detention, Sen.
Bato dela Rosa got a birthday message from former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
through Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.