Senate Has Had Enough: Lacson Says It's Time to Change the Rules Over Bato Dela Rosa's Extended Disappearing Act

Senator Bato dela Rosa has been MIA from Senate sessions for so long that his colleagues are now talking about rewriting the rules to deal with it. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson revealed Saturday that the chamber may review and amend its internal rules to address dela Rosa's prolonged absence from plenary proceedings.

Speaking to reporters at the PMA Alumni Homecoming in Baguio City, Lacson pointed out a glaring gap in the Senate rulebook: while there are provisions for removing senators from committee memberships due to continuous absences, there are no equivalent rules for absences from the plenary itself. "I think we should revisit the rules of the Senate to incorporate the situation of Sen. dela Rosa," he said.

Dela Rosa has been in hiding following reports that the International Criminal Court may issue an arrest warrant against him. He was named as one of eight co-perpetrators in the ICC's charges document against former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity during the bloody war on drugs.

Lacson said the issue could be taken up as early as Monday during an all-senators' caucus. "I think we should take it seriously," he added. The implication is clear: the Senate is losing patience with a member who continues to collect his salary and hold his seat while dodging both the ICC and his legislative duties.

The situation puts the Senate in an awkward position. Dela Rosa was elected by millions of Filipinos to represent them, but his constituents haven't seen him do his job in months. Whether the chamber can — or will — take action remains to be seen. But Lacson's public statement is the strongest signal yet that the Senate won't tolerate the status quo much longer.

Source: The Manila Times