Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday criticized what she described as attempts to politicize the reported security incident at the Senate, following the controversy surrounding the reported pursuit of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and the alleged breach inside the chamber.
Hontiveros said it was inappropriate to link minority senators, Senate employees, and their staff to the incident, stressing that they were no longer inside the Senate complex when the reported shooting happened on the night of May 13.
She explained that the Senate session had already ended by that time, prompting employees, minority senators, and their staff to leave the premises.
Hontiveros also said she had already traveled to the province for a scheduled conference when the incident occurred.
“Wag naman nilang gamitin sa pamumulitika ang pag-uwi ng ating Senate employees, who are doing an honest day’s work,” she said in a statement.
A Senate Secretariat source earlier confirmed that Dela Rosa had left the Senate complex around 2:30 a.m. following the reported shooting incident.
The source also said Senate security officials were awaiting guidance from Senate leadership on whether an official statement would be released.
Hontiveros said the incident should not be used for political narratives and stressed that accountability and transparency must be prioritized.
She also expressed concern over the incident, saying it damaged public trust in the institution.
“Unfortunately, the Senate, The People’s House, the hallowed space where laws are made and rights are defended, was turned into a shooting range. That is desecration, not just of our walls, but of the trust placed in that institution,” she said.
Hontiveros also urged Dela Rosa to cooperate with authorities in relation to the warrant issued against him, saying this was necessary to prevent further tension and potential violence inside and outside the Senate.
She added that the public deserves clarity on the matter and called for a full and independent investigation into the incident.
“We need to get to the bottom of this. The Filipino people deserve a full, independent, and unobstructed accounting. Walang takipan,” Hontiveros said.
Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines
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