Sen. Dela Rosa MIA amid ICC warrant talk

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s unexplained absence from the Senate has entered its third week, raising questions about his whereabouts and fitness to remain in office as an elected lawmaker, even as top officials debate whether he faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the bloody drug war of the Duterte administration.

“I am concerned that the year is about to end and he remains absent. If you are a regular government employee and you are absent for three weeks, you would already be fired. Why is he allowed not to report for work?” ICC assistant to counsel Atty. Kristina Conti told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Conti criticized Dela Rosa for failing to perform his legislative duties, saying the senator has not appeared in budget deliberations for agencies directly linked to his previous roles, including the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“He must remember that he is a senator and must fulfill his duties. He was not elected merely to protect Duterte. He was elected to protect the country,” she said.

Senate President Tito Sotto III earlier dismissed calls to sanction Dela Rosa, saying senators are “old enough” to decide for themselves.

It remains unclear whether Dela Rosa filed any formal leave of absence with the Senate. His last public appearance was online, when he posted a Bonifacio Day message urging Filipinos to “remember and live the courage and love shown to the country by Gat Andres Bonifacio. Love the Philippines and do not bow down to foreigners. Always value and fight for our freedom.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said a digital copy of an ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa had been electronically signed, though the Department of Justice (DoJ) said as of 25 November it had received no such document.

The Supreme Court has asked the DoJ to comment within 10 days on Dela Rosa’s petition for a temporary restraining order to block any enforcement action.