A complaint questioning a senator’s continued non-attendance at plenary sessions has been formally submitted to the Senate’s disciplinary body, placing Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa under scrutiny.
The petition, filed Wednesday by the anti-corruption coalition Wag Kang Corrupt, asks the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to examine what it described as the lawmaker’s extended failure to show up for official work. The group argued that regular participation in sessions and legislative proceedings is part of a senator’s core responsibilities.
“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 full oversight responsibilities,” the group said.
Wag Kang Corrupt counts former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno and former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez among its members. Magno urged the chamber to act on the filing and consider imposing penalties.
“Sana po ay matugunan ito ng Senate Committee at magkaroon ng sanction dahil hindi dapat tino-tolerate yung mga ganitong kilos na hindi pumapasok sa trabaho at hindi ginagawa ang tungkulin bilang isang senador,” Magno said.
The complaint was endorsed to the ethics panel chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito.
Dela Rosa has not attended Senate plenary proceedings since Nov. 11, 2025. His absence followed a statement by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla asserting that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against him.
The former Philippine National Police chief has been identified as one of the alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case filed before the ICC in connection with detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Sen. Imee Marcos, a fellow member of the minority bloc, defended dela Rosa and said his absence should not be interpreted as a refusal to work.
“Ginusto ba niya yun? Eh, si Senator Bato, kilala ko yun eh. Atat-atat magtrabaho yun. Aga-aga pumasok… Ang problema, hindi siya nakakasigurado na bibigyan talaga siya ng proteksyon dahil may iba’t ibang sinasabi dito. Kaya yun nga ang alma niya. Pero kung sa pagtatrabaho hindi naman siguro pwedeng sabihin na ayaw niya magtrabaho. Napipilitan lang yung tao,” Marcos said.
