Ethics Panel Chairman JV Ejercito Speaks on Complaint vs. Bato dela Rosa over Prolonged Absence
JV EJERCITO – The Senator explained why the ethics complaint versus Sen. Bato dela Rosa will be dismissed if heard outright.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been into hiding since rumors spread that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has allegedly released an arrest warrant against him. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla made the said claim.
Amid the absence of the Senator in the Senate sessions since November 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that she has allegedly long warned Sen. Bato dela Rosa and her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, of the alleged presence of the ICC in the Philippines. The elder Duterte is currently detained under the custody of the foreign court since March 2025.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March last year and was brought to The Hague, Netherlands for his detention. He is faced with three (3) counts of murder as alleged crimes against humanity filed by the ICC prosecutors.
“Dela Rosa” who was described as “PNP chief” was mentioned in the ICC case against Duterte. The said mentioning matches the profile of Sen. Bato dela Rosa who was the first chief of the Philippine National Police during the tenure of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Aside from Dela Rosa, Sen. Bong Go was also tagged as the alleged co-perpetrator of the former President.
As the former head of the Philippine National Police, Sen. Dela Rosa is known as supposedly a central figure in implementing the Duterte drug war. Amid his absence from the Senate sessions, the Senator was spotted in some private gatherings like a gold tournament held in Baguio.
The prolonged absence of the Senator did not sit well with many people most especially after Senate Pres. Tito Sotto previously claimed that Sen. Bato dela Rosa continues to receive his salary as the “no work, no pay” rule does not apply to them. He has called on the Senator to temporarily not receive his salary but he’s mum over the call.
A complaint was filed against Sen. Bato dela Rosa before the Senate Ethics Committee which is led by Sen. JV Ejercito. However, recently, the Senator explained why the complaint may be dismissed if they will hear it “outright” without amendments on the Senate rules.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Sen. JV Ejercito explained that there is no provision about the “no work, no pay” rule not only in the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges but as well as the chamber as a whole. He stressed that because it is not in the rules, the complaint will be dismissed.
“Outright, kung itutuloy namin ‘yan, the case will be dismissed. Wala kasi sa rules namin eh ‘di ba? So it will be dismissed kasi ‘you cannot find it anywhere in our rules sa ethics or sa rules of the Senate,” the Senate Ethics panel head said.
According to Sen. JV Ejercito, the Senate rules must be amended first and the complaint can be refiled. Based on the report, he stressed that the rules must be changed first if the complainants wants the issue to prosper.
“If any member would propose that the rules be amended or proposed the inclusion of such provision—’yung (the) no work, no pay, then we can make the necessary amendment… Kung gusto mag-prosper, kailangan i-amend ang rules to include ‘yung sa no, work no pay,” the Senator said.
Previously, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson claimed that the Senate may allegedly withhold the salary of Sen. Bato dela Rosa as a sanction for his absence.