Senate on Ethics Committee Chair Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said complaints will be evaluated in order of submission; moreover, those deemed insufficient in form and substance may be revised and resubmitted by complainants.

Many complaints filed before the ethics committee were declared insufficient in form and substance, Ejercito said, according to a Tuesday report by RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas.

He explained that complainants must abide by a checklist when filing complaints against senators.

However, the committee chair explained that they do not automatically dismiss complaints ruled insufficient in form and substance. These are returned to the complainants, who will decide whether to file a revised version of their complaint.

In a committee meeting attended by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, the ethics panel examined Docket No. 1 and found it sufficient in form and substance. A copy of the approved complaint was at once sent to the respondent, who is expected to face the committee on Monday.

Ejercito said the committee will follow a “first in, first out” rule. Complaints that have been filed first will be prioritized, he explained.

By this rule, the complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—who has been accepting salaries despite his over five-month long absence—will have to wait.

The ethics panel head said he has heard that dela Rosa’s office is considering concession to the appeal for the absent senator to waive his salaries and allowances while he remains unavailable.