Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has publicly criticized Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for his prolonged absence from the plenary session, specifically noting his failure to defend the proposed 2026 budget for key security agencies. Dela Rosa, who chairs and vice-chairs crucial committees, has been absent since the Senate resumed session on November 11 following a month-long break.
The absence comes amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with the controversial war on drugs during the Duterte administration. While Sotto did not directly name the reason for the absence, he made it clear that skipping budget deliberations is unacceptable for a committee chairman.
Failing to Fulfill Responsibilities
In an ambush interview on Thursday, Sotto stressed that a committee chairperson has a solemn duty to defend the agencies assigned to them, especially during the crucial budget season. “It is not okay,” Sotto stated, emphasizing the gravity of the missed opportunity to scrutinize and champion important budgetary items.
Sotto’s critique was blunt: “If you can’t handle it, don’t ask for it,” and “In the first place, you should not have asked to get those chairmanships if you couldn’t handle them.” He specifically highlighted the importance of the vice chairmanship of the budget and national defense committees. Sotto also noted that Dela Rosa failed to advise him of his absence and has not been in touch since the break.
When asked by reporters for his thoughts on Dela Rosa’s actions, Sotto simply said, “Malalaki na sila. It’s their own lookout.”
‘HINDI OKAY ’YUN’
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WATCH: Senate President Tito Sotto says it is “not okay” that Senator Bato dela Rosa was absent in today's session despite his task to defend the budget of the Department of National Defense as vice chairman of the Senate finance committee.
“Kung hindi mo… pic.twitter.com/yBSJdd1w35
ICC Reports and Lack of Communication
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate panel on finance, confirmed that Dela Rosa reached out to him to inform him he would be unable to defend the Department of National Defense’s budget, but the former top cop did not provide a reason for his continued absence. Sotto, meanwhile, confirmed that Dela Rosa has not gotten in touch with him “from the day that [they] adjourned before the break.”
Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon previously acknowledged that they are aware of the circulating reports regarding an alleged ICC arrest warrant, though they lack independent confirmation of its accuracy. Dela Rosa is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Sotto concluded by stating he would leave the matter of a course of action to Senator Gatchalian.