Senators to tackle Bato's absence in caucus—Lacson

The continued absence of Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa from sessions of the Philippine Senate will be among the matters to be taken up during an all-senators’ caucus scheduled for Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said on Saturday.

In a statement, Lacson said there is a need to revisit existing Senate rules and examine how they apply to dela Rosa’s situation.

“(May rules) kami pag continuous absence sa committee, nawawala ang membership sa committee. As far as plenary, wala kaming rules” Lacson said.

(We have rules about continuous absences in Senate committees, where a senator can lose committee membership due to such absences. But we don’t have such rules that apply to the plenary.

"I think we should revisit the rules of the Senate para ma-incorporate ang situation like that of Senator Bato," he added.

According to Senate President Tito Sotto, Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions since November 11, with no definite word on when he will return.

On his birthday, Dela Rosa said he was “waiting for a true seeking for justice” amid discussions about a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the crimes against humanity case involving former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa, along with Sen. Bong Go and others, was recently named as an alleged co-perpetrator in an ICC document released in February.

“I think we should take it seriously. On Monday, pag may all-senators’ caucus, it could come up and we could have a consensus,” Lacson added.

(I think we should take it seriously. On Monday, during the all-senators’ caucus, it could come up and we could have a consensus.)

Lacson said the caucus will also tackle how the Senate should handle future engagements with the Embassy of China in the Philippines following recent tense exchanges with Chinese officials.

“Breath of fresh air na yung Chinese Ambassador nagsabi ng 'let’s talk.' At least, mag-establish kami ng parameters on how to communicate with each other para hindi tayo nagkakasakitan,” Lacson said.

(It’s a breath of fresh air that the Chinese ambassador himself said 'let’s talk.' At least, we can establish parameters on how to communicate with each other so we don’t end up hurting each other.)

The senator also said he has no plans to seek elective office in the 2028 national elections and intends to retire from public service at the end of his term in 2031.

“I’m nearing the twilight of my career. I plan or intend to finish my public service career in 2031 when my current or first term ends,” he said.

Lacson attended the recent alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy as a member of the Matatag Class of 1971. Dela Rosa, a graduate of the Sinagtala Class of 1986, was notably absent.

Also present at the event was Joe Melencio Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police and a member of the Tanglawdiwa Class of 1992.—MCG, GMA Integrated News