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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bato not replying to text messages, says Sotto

Bato not replying to text messages, says Sotto

Published Jan 9, 2026 02:59 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday, January 9 disclosed that he had tried to contact Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa but the latter has not been replying to his text messages.


Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday, January 9 disclosed that he had tried to contact Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa but the latter has not been replying to his text messages.

Senate President Vicente
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (Facebook)

Dela Rosa, who has been absent in the Senate since November 2025 when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed in a radio interview that a warrant of arrest has already been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), has not been responding in the senators’ group chat.

Sotto said this prompted him to reach out to Delea Rosa through separate text messages to check on him.

“I texted him two or three times, but I never received any reply,” Sotto told reporters in an online interview.

Sotto also recalled texting Dela Rosa about the 2026 national budget as he was designated as a member of the bicameral conference committee and vice chairman of the Senate finance panel.

Nevertheless, he said he cannot require Dela Rosa to report to work or appear during committee hearings.

“I don’t interfere with the other senators work, or if they will come to work or not. I know his situation right now is difficult and is avoiding any problems. So why will I force him. He will be accountable to those who voted for him,” he said.

Sotto said the only instance the Senate can force a member to report for work is when his vote is needed. He said the Senate president can order the arrest of a senator if the vote of every member is required in the Senate.

This has already happened several times in the past, especially if his or her vote is important and the senator is absent, the lawmaker explained.

“Unless you are abroad, in which case there is nothing we can do. You are beyond the powers of the Senate, or even of the country, of the Philippines,” the Senate leader said.

Related Tags

Tito Sotto Bato Dela Rosa ICC Senate
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