The Senate Ethics Committee is preparing for a crucial series of meetings, poised to address a backlog of complaints against several senators. At the heart of the impending review lies the case of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whose extended absence from the Senate has fueled speculation and raised serious questions about his duties.
Senator dela Rosa, a key figure in the former administration’s controversial war on drugs, has been absent from sessions since November 2025. This coincided with reports suggesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) may be seeking an arrest warrant in connection with its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the drug campaign.
The Ethics Committee, previously hampered by a lack of members and scheduling conflicts, will convene on March 4th to establish its procedures and begin evaluating the pending cases. The meeting, authorized by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, will be held in the Senate President’s conference room to expedite the process.
A civil society group, Wag Kang KuCorrupt, formally filed the complaint against Senator dela Rosa, accusing him of dereliction of duty. They argue his prolonged absence disrupts legislative work and undermines accountability, particularly given the gravity of the allegations surrounding his past role.
The ICC’s investigation centers on the thousands of deaths that occurred during the drug war, a period marked by intense police operations and vigilante killings. Court documents related to the probe have identified both Senator dela Rosa and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as potential co-perpetrators.
While no arrest warrant has been publicly confirmed, the possibility has clearly impacted Senator dela Rosa’s attendance. He has previously challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, the ICC maintains its authority over crimes committed while the Philippines was a signatory.
The Ethics Committee will operate on a first-in, first-out basis, meaning the dela Rosa case will be addressed in the order it was received. However, the committee is also considering complaints against Senators Francis Escudero, Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, and even the committee chairman, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito himself.
Senator Ejercito faces a complaint regarding his handling of a case involving Senator Escudero, who is accused of receiving campaign funds linked to a large-scale flood control scandal. Senator Hontiveros, meanwhile, is accused of witness tampering related to a Senate inquiry into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The reopening of the Ethics Committee sets the stage for potentially explosive proceedings. The scrutiny surrounding lawmakers connected to the ICC’s drug war investigation is intensifying, promising a period of intense political and legal examination.
The committee’s deliberations will undoubtedly be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for the senators involved and for the ongoing debate surrounding accountability for the actions taken during the controversial anti-drug campaign.
