Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa will skip the Senate deliberations on the 2026 Department of National Defense budget, despite being tasked to defend it.
Panel on Finance chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that Dela Rosa informed him he could not attend the session on November 27, without giving a reason.
The lawmaker has been absent from Senate sessions since November 10 amid reports of an alleged International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
Dela Rosa faces charges of crimes against humanity over his role in former President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, including Project Double Barrel, also known as Oplan Tokhang.
His legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, said they have not independently confirmed the circulating reports regarding the alleged ICC warrant.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 27, 2025
SEN. BATO WON’T ATTEND THE SENATE DELIBERATION ON DEFENSE FUND
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