No word from Bato to Sotto, majority senators — Lacson

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has yet to reach out to Senate President Vicente Sotto III or other members of the majority, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.

“As far as kay Senate President, sa akin, at saka yung ilang miyembro ng majority, wala. Wala talagang contact, walang paramdam. Nothing,” Lacson told Super Radyo dzBB.

(As far as the Senate President, myself, and some members of the majority are concerned, there’s nothing. No contact at all, no word. Nothing.)

Dela Rosa has not attended any Senate session since November 11, following reports that the Office of the Ombudsman alleged an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant had been issued against him over the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, during which he served as chief of the Philippine National Police.

Senators are set to discuss Dela Rosa’s absence during a caucus on Monday, February 23.

When asked how his absences could be addressed, Lacson said a complaint could be filed with the ethics committee.

“Ang alam ko lang na pwedeng gawin kung sakaling mayroong maghain ng complaint sa ethics committee, ayun lang yung pwedeng maging venue kung ano yung pwedeng gawin sa situation siya,” he said.

(The only thing I know that can be done, should someone file a complaint with the ethics committee, is that it would be the only venue to determine what can be done about his situation.)

He added that the Senate may revisit its rules and consider amendments.

“Kailangan i-revisit siguro yung rules, magkaroon ng amendment, depende ‘yan sa paguusap namin sa Lunes. Ako mismo isa-suggest ko na talakayin namin yung issue, not necessary mag-apply kay Senator Dela Rosa, pero prospective yung application,” Lacson said.

(Perhaps we need to revisit the rules and have an amendment; that depends on our discussion this Monday. I myself will suggest that we discuss the issue—not necessarily to apply it only to Senator Dela Rosa, but with prospective application.)

Lacson also confirmed that Dela Rosa will continue to receive his salary despite his absences.

“Yeah, kasi wala naman dahilan para hindi sumweldo kasi hindi naman siya nadi-dismiss. Pwede naman matanggal ang isang senador sa pamamagitan ng ethics committee, kung grave yung offense ay idi-dismiss siya,” he said.

(Yeah, because there is no reason for him not to receive it since he hasn’t been dismissed. A senator can be removed through the ethics committee; if the offense is grave, [he or she] will be dismissed.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News