Dela Rosa told to respond to Senate ethics complaint

THE Senate Ethics Committee has asked Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa to respond to a complaint over his prolonged absenteeism, as lawmakers weigh proposals to tighten attendance rules in the chamber.

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, who heads the committee, said the body formally requested Mr. dela Rosa to submit a comment on the ethics complaint filed against him.

“As chairman of the committee on ethics, I am asking Senator dela Rosa to formally comment in connection with the complaint against him,” he told reporters in a Viber message.

Mr. Ejercito separately told reporters the committee had also asked Mr. dela Rosa to comment on proposals to amend Senate rules to include a “no work, no pay” provision aimed at addressing absenteeism among lawmakers.

“We have already asked Senator dela Rosa to comment on the proposal to amend the rules because it concerns the complaint against him also,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

Mr. dela Rosa, former police chief, is facing an ethics complaint over his repeated absence from Senate sessions following reports of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) linked to former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war.

The ICC in November identified Mr. dela Rosa and Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go as co-perpetrators in the case tied to the anti-drug campaign.

The complaint has revived debate inside the Senate over attendance standards and accountability for lawmakers who are frequently absent from plenary work.

Mr. Ejercito reiterated his call for Mr. dela Rosa to voluntarily forgo his salary and allowances while the issue remains unresolved.

“Just to be fair also, it would be better if he sacrifices the allowance and salary specifically because ordinary Filipinos are on a no-work, no-pay basis,” he said in Filipino. “It has to apply to all.”

The Ethics committee reconvened on May 4 to tackle nine pending cases, involving members of the chamber.

Mr. Ejercito said four cases were considered frivolous and recommended for dismissal, while three were deferred for further study. Two remaining cases require inputs from government agencies before the committee can move toward resolution.

He said the panel would return to the two unresolved dockets in its next meeting once the requested agency responses are submitted.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III attended the committee session, alongside Senators Erwin T. Tulfo and Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan.

The presence of Senate leadership underscored growing attention on internal disciplinary rules as the chamber faces both legislative and political pressures.

The ethics panel’s move comes as senators also discuss broader reforms to internal rules, including clearer penalties for absenteeism and mechanisms to enforce attendance obligations. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel