Senate President Tito Sotto said Thursday that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s continued absence from Senate plenary sessions is “not okay,” especially during the deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND).

“Hindi okay ‘yun. In the first place dapat hindi mo hiniling na makuha mo ‘yung mga chairmanship na ‘yun kung hindi mo naman kaya,” Sotto said when asked about Dela Rosa’s absence.

According to RH Raymund Dadpaas' report on dzRH's Breaktime, Dela Rosa has been absent since the Senate resumed session on November 10, with Sotto confirming that the senator has neither filed an official leave nor communicated with Senate leadership.

With Dela Rosa missing the plenary deliberations, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the finance committee, stepped in to defend the budgets of the DND and other key security agencies on Thursday.

"I leave it to Senator Gatchalian, who is the chairman of the Committee on Finance, siya na ang bahala," Sotto added.

Sotto emphasized that positions concerning national security and the national budget require consistent participation.

“Sana kung hindi mo kaya, hindi mo dapat hiniling na makuha ‘yung chairmanship na ‘yun, especially vice chairman ng budget, national defense, napakahalaga,” he said.

The Senate President also noted that he has not been in touch with Dela Rosa since October, when the chamber adjourned.

As of now, Sotto said there are no existing sanctions in Senate rules for prolonged absences, but he will look into the matter.