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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson: Up to Senate ethics panel to initiate sanctions on Dela Rosa

Lacson: Up to Senate ethics panel to initiate sanctions on Dela Rosa

Published Jan 29, 2026 05:32 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson reiterated on Thursday, January 29 that only the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges can give sanctions against Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.


Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reiterated on Thursday, January 29 that only the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges can give sanctions against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Senator Ronald
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB photo)

Lacson pointed this out saying that without any complaint lodged against the senator before the ethics committee, and without the committee’s recommendations to be presented to the plenary for adoption, the Senate leadership has no basis to sanction Dela Rosa, who has not been reporting for work since the Senate adjourned in December 2025.

“As far as sanctioning senators or congressmen, only the Ethics Committee can make recommendations. And in the absence of any complaint filed before the Ethics Committee which was constituted only recently, the Senate President or Senate leadership has no basis to sanction him,” Lacson said in an interview on DZMM radio.

“That includes the possible withholding of salary for the time he does not report for work," he further said.

Earlier, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, chairman of the Senate ethics panel, said the committee is expected to hold its first organizational meeting next week. His panel is now waiting for an ethics complaint to be filed against Dela Rosa so it can take action.

However, Lacson said former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has indicated he may file an ethics complaint against Dela Rosa in May or six months after he stopped reporting for work.

Asked if dela Rosa's prolonged absence may become grounds for his expulsion from the Senate, Lacson said it is up to the ethics committee.

“It is up to the ethics committee to make the proper interpretation. A serious offense must be a basis for suspension or expulsion, and such an action must have the votes of two-thirds of senators in plenary,” Lacson said.

But Lacson noted that Dela Rosa's office is still functioning as it continues to file bills and resolutions.

“His office is still functioning. And in case it comes to that, should the plenary decide to withhold Sen. dela Rosa's salary, his staff would likely be spared and will continue to receive their salaries because they are still reporting for work,” he said.

Related Tags

Bato Dela Rosa Senate ethics panel Senate Ping Lacson JV Ejercito
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