Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday emphasized that the Senate should seriously review its rules regarding absences to account for situations like Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

According to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, Lacson said the Senate is set to discuss the repeated absences of Dela Rosa following reports from DZRH that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has allegedly issued a warrant of arrest against him over his role in the Duterte administration’s drug war.

Speaking at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming, Lacson noted the need for a full caucus discussion to take action seriously regarding the fellow ‘cavalier.’

“Walang nagbibring-up eh, seriously. Minsan nagkakabiruan pero...kaya walang consensus. But I think we should take it seriously and on Monday, 'pag meron kaming all senators caucus it will come up and we can have a consensus,” Lacson said.

He added that current Senate rules address continuous absences only in committee work, which may result in losing committee membership, but no clear provision exists for plenary sessions.

“Wala kami kami. There's nothing in the rules kasi. Of course, meron kami pag continuous absences sa committee, nawawala ang membership niya sa committee. Pero as far as plenary, wala kaming rule kasi. I think we should revisit the rules of the Senate para mag-amend, para ma-incorporate yung situations like that of Senator Bato,” Lacson explained.

Dela Rosa was also absent from the traditional annual PMA alumni gathering in Baguio City today.

He has not attended Senate sessions since last November, following statements by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying“ Remulla that an ICC warrant may be imminent over the senator’s involvement in the government’s drug war initiatives.