Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday he will recommend that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa be required to explain his side over a complaint filed before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Sotto said he will bring the suggestion to the panel chaired by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, proposing that dela Rosa be issued a formal directive to respond to the allegations.
“Isa-suggest ko na hingan si Senator Bato ng eksplanasyon. Kumbaga sa ano (I will suggest that Senator Bato be asked for an explanation. In effect), show cause why we should not follow or give in to the complaint,” Sotto said in a chance interview after the Senate flag raising ceremony on Monday, as the chamber resumed its regular session.
He clarified that the move remains a recommendation, stressing that he is not the committee chair but serves as an ex officio member of the panel.
Sotto compared the proposed step to show-cause orders issued in Senate proceedings, saying due process must be observed before any action is taken.
He also said there is no decision yet on the request to suspend dela Rosa’s salary and allowances, noting that the senator has not yet reached out to him regarding the matter.
The complaint was filed on Feb. 25 by anti-corruption group Wag Kang KuCorrupt, led by former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno.
The group alleged that dela Rosa’s prolonged absence from Senate sessions since Nov. 11, 2025 amounts to dereliction of duty and grave abuse of public trust, despite continued receipt of salary and benefits.
The Senate Ethics Committee has yet to announce its next steps on the case.
Photo from Bato dela Rosa / Facebook
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