Bato dela Rosa faces ethics complaints over prolonged absence in Senate

A civil society group on Wednesday filed an ethics complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over his continued absence in the Senate. 

In the complaint filed before the Senate committee on ethics and privileges, the group “Wag Kang KuCorrupt” said that the continued failure of a sitting senator to report for work and perform the functions of his office “constitutes not only a clear dereliction of duty but also a grave abuse of the privilege entrusted to him by the Filipino people.”

“As an elected public official receiving compensation from public funds, a Senator carries the constitutional and moral obligation to attend sessions, participate in legislative deliberations, and fulfill oversight responsibilities,” it said. 

“Moreover, as Chair of Senate committees, his absence inevitably causes delays in scheduled hearings, pending legislative measures, oversight functions, and the timely consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of those committees,” it added. 

The group thus urged the Senate committee to conduct a formal inquiry into the matter, determine whether there has been a violation of Senate rules and ethical standards, and impose appropriate sanctions if warranted. 

Members of the civil society group include former Office of the Vice President spokesman Atty. Barry Gutierrez and former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, among others.

GMA News Online reached out to Dela Rosa’s office for a comment, and will update this story once it responds. 

To recall, Dela Rosa has not made any public appearance and has not attended any session at the Senate since November 11, 2025. 

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

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor later on identified Dela Rosa as one of the alleged co-perpetrators of former president Rodrigo Duterte in his crimes against humanity case.

In January, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that the office of Dela Rosa is still functioning despite his prolonged absence amid the alleged issuance of arrest warrant against him by the ICC. 

Sotto also told reporters that it may be more feasible to suspend the salary of Dela Rosa first than to suspend the operation of his entire office, as suggested by the petitioners. 

“‘Yung suspension ng opisina niya, medyo mabigat ‘yun. Kasi una, maraming empleyado 'yun, nagta-trabaho. ‘Yung mga empleyado, nagsa-submit ng bills, nagsa-submit sila ng mga komentaryo nila, mga perspective nila about the bills that are being discussed, could be coming from Senator Bato himself or the advisers or the legal people,” he explained in an ambush interview.

(The suspension of his office is a bit heavy. First of all, there are many employees who are working in his office. The employees are submitting bills, they are submitting their comments, their perspectives about the bills that are being discussed, which could be coming from Senator Bato himself or the advisers or the legal people.) 

It was Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson who first said that the salary of Dela Rosa may be withheld should there be a recommendation by the Senate ethics committee.

Sotto also said he has yet to check the complaint filed against Dela Rosa.

“Perhaps the best answer would be it's the best time to call for the committee on ethics to conduct a hearing on all the complaints that are filed,” the Senate President said. 

First in, first out

Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of the Senate ethics committee, meanwhile maintained that the panel will hear all complaints filed based on the order they were filed. 

“Of course, just like in any proseso, first in, first out. Hindi naman pwedeng gusto nila mauna ‘yung isa, pwedeng unahin. So first in, first out. Kung ano ‘yung unang nai-file, then we will hear that first,” Ejercito said in an ambush interview. 

(Of course, just like in any process, it’s first in, first out. We can’t hear whatever they want to go first. It’s first in, first out. Whatever was filed first, then we will hear that first.) 

He said the complaint filed against Dela Rosa was the sixth complaint pending before the committee. 

Asked about the policy for the “no work, no pay” proposal, he said that it has to be discussed by the committee first. 

“Hindi ako… I'm there only to preside, facilitate pero it will be the committee who will decide. So wala lang room ngayon dahil puno lahat ng committee rooms so ‘pag meron nang room, then we will already convene,” Ejercito explained. 

(Not me. I'm only here to preside, facilitate but it will be the committee which will decide. There’s no hearing yet because all the committee rooms are occupied so once there is room available, then we will already convene.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News