Senate Pres. Tito Sotto Asked about Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s Long Absence at Senate
TITO SOTTO – The Senate President claimed that he does not recall any sanction for long absences of senators in the chamber amid Senator Bato dela Rosa being absent since November 11.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla previously claimed that he allegedly has a “copy” of the arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa issued by the ICC or the International Criminal Court. The Senator asked the Supreme Court to compel the Ombudsman to release a copy of the reported ICC arrest warrant.
The Supreme Court junked the motion filed by Sen. Bato dela Rosa. Immediately after the Ombudsman made a claim that the ICC allegedly issued an arrest warrant against the Senator, Dela Rosa was no show during the Senate sessions.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa has always claimed that he is allegedly the second person that the ICC supposedly wants to arrest and investigate following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Chief Executive remains under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands since March.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa was no show at the budget deliberation of the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) today. He is the vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the panel’s chairman, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, took over.
Dela Rosa reportedly did not state the reason behind his absence. His lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, previously claimed that he remains in the Philippines but may only make himself available if the government has clarified its course of actions over an alleged ICC arrest warrant against him.
Recently, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto was asked about the absence of Sen. Bato dela Rosa. Based on a post of News5 on social media, during an interview with the media, the Senate Chief revealed that the former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief was absent since November 11.
According to Senate Pres. Tito Sotto, Sen Bato dela Rosa has not reached out to him since the Senate adjourned its session and took a break. He expressed his confidence that Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian will took over regarding the proposed budget of the DND amid the absence of Dela Rosa.
“Hindi, wala. He has not gotten in touch with me since the break. The chairman, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian will take over. Siya naman ang chairman, eh. Mga vice chairman lang sila,” he said.
Senate Pres. Tito Sotto was asked about the absence of Sen. Bato dela Rosa and he admitted that it is not fine. He stressed that the deliberation of the proposed budget of the DND is important.
“Hindi okay ‘yun. In the first place dapat hindi mo hiniling na makuha mo ‘yung chairmanship na ‘yun… Sana kung hindi mo kaya, hindi mo dapat hiniling na makuha mo ‘yung chairmanship niya, especially vice chairmanship ng budget, National Defense, napaka-halaga eh,” the Senate Chief expressed.
Senate Pres. Tito Sotto was asked if there’s a sanction for senators over long absences. Based on the post, Sotto answered in the negative but assured to check on the Senate rules acknowledging that he might miss something.
Previously, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla spoke on the claim of his brother, Ombudsman Boying Remulla, over the alleged ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa.