Sen. Ping Lacson Speaks on Sen. Bato dela Rosa amid Supposed “Hiding”
PING LACSON – The Senate President Pro Tempore explained that the Senate may allegedly withhold the salary of Senator Bato dela Rosa as sanction for his long absence.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa is no show in the Senate sessions since November 11 when the chamber resumed its session. His absence during the sessions came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla claimed that the International Criminal Court has allegedly released an arrest warrant against him.
Dela Rosa, the first chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the tenure of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was vocal that he is allegedly the next target of the ICC for its investigation of the Duterte drug war. According to his lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, the Senator might make himself available after the government has clarified its course of actions.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s lawyer also expressed his confidence that the Filipino people allegedly understands the situation of the Senator. Previously, his colleagues admitted that the Senator continues to get paid as a lawmaker despite his prolonged absence from the sessions. It earned different reactions from the public.
Senate Pres. Tito Sotto and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian previously claimed that the senators are not under the “no work, no pay” rule. The Senate President also claimed that the office of Dela Rosa remains functional.
Previously, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto even claimed that a congressman in the House of Representatives was allegedly absent for a year but continues to be paid. Presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos also claimed that Dela Rosa’s office remain functional as he still gets to sign important documents.
However, as for Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, he believes that Sen. Bato dela Rosa should return to work. According to him, the Senator’s hiding does not make sense to him as he is not wanted.
Recently, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson also claimed that the Senate may withhold the salary of Sen. Bato dela Rosa as a sanction for his long absence. Based on a report on GMA News, the Senator claimed that former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV plans to file an ethics complaint against Dela Rosa in March and the Senate may then use a recommendation by the ethics committee to amend the rules for the sanction of Dela Rosa.
“More or less, ‘yun yung isang suggestion na baka i-suspend o itigil ‘yung sweldo… Sabi ko kay SP kanina, ipaaral natin mabuti kasi covered kami ng Civil Service Law. Baka ‘di umubra ‘yung hindi mo paswelduhin ‘yung senador kung walang basis. Pero tama rin si SP, we have our own rules, bound tayo ng ethics committee recommendation,” Lacson said.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla dared former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to show a proof of the alleged ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa. His challenge came after the Senator said that the Interior Secretary should allegedly reduce his media interviews and focus on searching for dela Rosa.
“I can’t understand senator Trillanes… that we should search for Bato. What would we search for? We know he is in Davao, but there is no warrant of arrest, so why would we locate him?” Remulla said.
Previously, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV also expressed a challenge to Sen. Bato dela Rosa amid his supposed hiding.