Bato still absent from Senate

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remained absent from the Senate on Monday as the chamber resumed its plenary sessions following a month-long legislative break.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he had not received any update from Dela Rosa regarding his absence.

“Wala pa (none yet). I have not heard any information from Senator Bato,” Sotto said in an ambush interview.

He also expressed confusion over Dela Rosa’s involvement in a recently released minority document.

“I was even wondering how he was able to sign the minority opinion. I think that’s how we should describe it — a minority opinion. It’s not a report, because a report has to come from the main committee itself,” Sotto explained.

Sotto was referring to the so-called minority report released last week by Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta. The document, signed by six of the nine members of the minority bloc — including Dela Rosa — contained findings and observations drawn from the first six hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Dela Rosa has not attended any Senate sessions since 11 November, following allegations by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla that the International Criminal Court had issued a warrant for his arrest over the deadly war on drugs during the Duterte administration, when he served as Philippine National Police chief.

On 21 January, his 64th birthday, Dela Rosa broke his silence, saying he was “waiting for a true seeking for justice to emerge and take over.”