Bato dela Rosa files 2 bills amid absence in Senate

Amid his continued absence, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has filed two proposed measures, including a bill penalizing foreign interference in the country.

Based on Senate records, Dela Rosa signed the proposed measures filed with the Senate Bills and Index Section on Monday, May 4 as the chamber resumed session after a month-long recess. They were signed at 2:56 p.m. and 2:57 p.m.

The bills were read during the Plenary session on Wednesday, May 6.

Proposed Senate Bill (SB) No. 2080 or the Counter Foreign Interference Act wants to define and penalize foreign interference and establish a counter foreign interference council, which will establish focus programs on critical components such as political, economic, social, technological, education, legal and military.

Senate Bill (SB) No. 2079 or the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) Act, meanwhile, aims to strengthen the operationalization of the NPCS, including the maintenance of a centralized record of all reported crime incidents, warrants of arrest, pictures and personalized details of arrested and wanted persons.

Dela Rosa has not made any public appearance and has not attended any session at the Senate since November 2025, amid claims that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against him over his links to the controversial war on drugs.

The absentee senator is currently facing an ethics complaint over his prolonged absence. On Monday, the Senate ethics committee asked Dela Rosa to comment on the proposal to amend the rules and include the “no work, no pay” policy for absentee senators. — RSJ, GMA News