Senate to tackle Bato prolonged absence

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges will hold an executive session on March 4 to adopt its rules and begin reviewing complaints, including the case filed against Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa for his prolonged absence from Senate sessions.

Committee chairperson JV Ejercito told reporters via Viber on Thursday that the meeting was originally scheduled for March 10 but was moved earlier after Senate President Vicente Sotto III authorized the use of the Senate President’s Conference Room.

“For those asking, the earliest we can schedule Ethics Committee meeting is on March 10 due to room unavailability. But asking permission from SP (Senate President) if we can use the Senators Lounge so we can hold the meeting earlier. Punuan ang committee rooms (committee rooms are fully booked),” Ejercito said, later confirming the new March 4 schedule at 10 a.m.

Ejercito emphasized that the session will be closed to the public. “Executive Session among members agenda is adoption of rules and we will proceed to initial vetting of cases,” he said.

The complaint against dela Rosa was filed by the anti-corruption group “Wag Kang KuCorrupt,” led by former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno. It cites his absence from official duties since November 2025, arguing that it constitutes dereliction of duty and urging the committee to determine whether Senate rules and ethical standards were violated.

Dela Rosa has not attended sessions since Nov. 10, following reports of a supposed International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him. He is the sixth senator to face an ethics complaint before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.