Imee says Bato 'still working' despite continued absence

Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday said that Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa continues to do his job despite not being seen in the Senate for nearly two months now.

"Ang alam ko nagtatrabaho pa rin kasi nakakapirma pa rin, eh. Pumipirma pa rin, nagtatrabaho pa rin. Kaya medyo hindi naman yata tama 'yung sinasabi na, 'no work, no pay,' because he's still working, sa totoo lang," she said in a Zoom interview with reporters. 

(What I know is that he is still working because he is still able to sign some things. He is still signing and is still working. So it's not proper to raise the 'no work, no pay' matter because he's still working, to be honest.) 

Asked which documents she was referring to, Marcos told GMA News Online that Dela Rosa was able to sign the minority bloc's report of the Senate blue ribbon inquiry into the flood control scandal. 

Based on the Senate website, Dela Rosa was also able to file several bills and one resolution in December 2025. 

Dela Rosa has not attended any session at the Senate since November 11. 

His absences began after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla alleged that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against the former over the bloody war on drugs during the Duterte administration.

Marcos urged authorities to already serve the arrest warrant, if there really is one.  

"Ang akin lamang ay bakit announce nang announce na mayroon nang warrant at parang tinatakot 'yung tao? Kung may warrant na, i-serve na. Bakit inuupuan? Ano bang timing ang inaasahan?"

(My question is, why do they keep announcing that there is already a warrant and they are seemingly trying to scare the person? If there is a warrant, serve it. Why are they sitting on it? What are they waiting for?) 

"I'm not sure why they're dangling this like a Damocles sword over Senator Bato dela Rosa. I think it's unfair and, if the warrant is actually there, it should be issued, it should be served and responded to by the lawyers," she added.

Marcos also reiterated that she has not spoken with Dela Rosa and has only been communicating with his wife, Nancy.

Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and main implementer of the campaign against illegal drugs during the Duterte administration.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained at The Hague in the Netherlands on charges of crimes against humanity, following his arrest through a warrant issued by the ICC.

Imminent arrests?

As this developed, Marcos also claimed that charges will be filed this month against Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former senator Bong Revilla, over their alleged links to the anomalies in the flood control projects. 

"Ang balita January 15, ang (I heard that by January 15, the) charges against certain senators will be filed. I understand they have already drafted against Senator Jinggoy, Senator Joel, and former Senator Bong Revilla," she said. 

She also said charges will also be filed against CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap.

GMA News Online sought for a comment from the Office of the Ombudsman but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

ICI's end?

Marcos further alleged that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the fact-finding body looking into anomalous flood control projects, is set to be "disbanded" by February 1. 

"Wala nang ICI. Kung sabagay, nag-resign na lahat ng member pero wala pong maliwanag," she added. 

(There will no longer be an ICI. All the members have resigned but nothing is clear yet up to now.) 

ICI spokesperson Brian Hosaka, in response, said that the body has yet to receive any information or notice regarding the matter from Malacañang.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, stood firm that the ICI should continue with its investigation into the flood control controversy. 

“Hindi tayo pwedeng huminto eh. The show must go on. Kailangan tuloy-tuloy ang imbestigasyon ng ICI dahil diyan umaasa ang tao na malaman ang katotohanan at merong managot,” Gatchalian said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. 

(We can't stop. The show must go on. The ICI should continue the investigation because the people rely on them to know the truth and to hold the perpetrators accountable.) 

He also said that Malacañang should appoint two new members in the ICI, as replacements for resigned commissioners Rossana Fajardo and Rogelio Singson. 

“Hindi kaya ng isa. They have to appoint two more. Ako naniniwala hindi tayo nagkukulang sa magagaling na tao at magagaling na talento sa ating bansa. So they have to appoint two more in the absence of that legislated Independent People's Commission,” he added. 

(One cannot do it alone. They have to appoint two more. I believe that we do not lack great people and great talents in our country. So they have to appoint two more in the absence of that legislated Independent People's Commission.) 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier urged the Congress to prioritize the passage of the proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act.

The measure aims to establish a permanent, independent, and non-partisan commission that would investigate alleged anomalies and corruption in infrastructure projects at the national, local government unit, and government-owned and -controlled corporation levels. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News