Dela Rosa has most absences among senators so far in 20th Congress

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has the highest number of absences among senators so far in the 20th Congress.

Based on the Senate attendance sheet, dela Rosa – who has not attended any session at the Senate since November 11, 2025 – missed 31 plenary sessions from July 28, 2025 to March 18, 2026. 

This means he only attended 27 out of 58 sessions during this period. GMA News Online has reached out to Dela Rosa’s office for comment.

Dela Rosa is facing an ethics complaint over his prolonged absence in the Senate.

He also lost his membership in almost all of the Senate committees, including the powerful Senate blue ribbon committee.

The lawmaker has not made any public appearance since November last year.

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

Later on, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor identified Dela Rosa as one of Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators in his alleged crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder.

In January, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Dela Rosa’s office is still functioning despite his prolonged absence.

Sotto said it may be more feasible to suspend the salary of Dela Rosa first than to suspend the operation of his entire office. — JMA, GMA News