Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Senate has been appealing to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to return to work, as the latter continues to be absent from Senate sessions.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Lacson said senators have reached out to dela Rosa through Sen. Bong Go to encourage him to attend sessions, stressing that there is no existing warrant of arrest against him.
“Wala namang warrant of arrest. Ewan ko kung meron pero officially wala. Tinanggi na nga ng ICC eh,” Lacson said.
Lacson noted that dela Rosa’s absence has implications for Senate operations, pointing out that he is the chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and safety and also heads other committees.
“Sayang din yung kanyang contribution eh. Chairman nga siya ng public order. Tapos yung may ibang committee. Sayang,” Lacson said.
Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions amid issues related to the International Criminal Court’s probe into the previous administration’s war on drugs.
During the same interview, Lacson addressed the proposed “no work, no pay” policy for lawmakers, saying he personally sees no problem with it, provided absences are properly justified and officially noted.
“Sa akin, no work, no pay. Okay lang. Hindi ka nagtatrabaho, di huwag kang bayaran,” the Senator said.
He said lawmakers are sometimes unable to attend sessions due to official duties, including attending to constituents and participating in international conferences approved by Senate leadership.
Lacson also discussed the anti-political dynasty bill, saying it now has a higher chance of advancing after being certified as urgent by the President.
He said this is the first time the measure has been certified as urgent and subjected to committee hearings. Lacson said he was the principal author of the proposal, which is now being handled by Sen. Risa Hontiveros following multiple hearings.
On possible sanctions for prolonged absence, Lacson said former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has mentioned the possibility of filing an ethics complaint by May over dela Rosa’s continued absence.
Lacson said he would not take part in any vote on the matter, citing his own past experience of going into hiding.
