Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Monday strongly condemned the alleged attempt by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel to prevent Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from entering the Senate, saying the incident was not only disrespectful to an individual lawmaker but an affront to the institution itself.
“What happened to Sen. Bato this afternoon does not only concern him. Most importantly, this concerns the very institution where he belongs,” Marcoleta said in a privilege speech.
“It is not only a disrespect to an incumbent and sitting senator of the republic, but this is an act ridiculing this institution.”
Marcoleta said the matter should not be taken lightly, arguing that even in the absence of a formal complaint or charges, questions remain on the legality of allegedly blocking a senator from performing his duties.
Prior to Marcoleta’s statement, Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate on Monday morning and claimed he was blocked by NBI personnel outside the session hall.
He alleged there was even a brief “wrestling” incident when he insisted on entering, leaving him with a minor injury on his hand.
Dela Rosa also said in his floor speech that former Sen. Antonio Trillanes was at the Senate library along with NBI personnel.
It was Dela Rosa’s first appearance in the Senate since November 2025.
“Yun lamang na pigilan siya na pumasok para gampanan ang tungkulin niya, they already violated at least Article 145 of the Revised Penal Code,” he added.
Newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano further emphasized the primacy of constitutional processes amid the controversy of an alleged warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“While the Philippine Constitution is operational, the warrant of arrest has to be issued by a Philippine judge,” Cayetano said.
“If they can show a foreign warrant, it still should be presented before a Philippine judge and the Philippine judge has to still show the same parameters or requirements by the Philippine Constitution.”
Meanwhile, barbed wire was reinstalled at the Senate gate on Monday, coinciding with his return.
