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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto rejects claims he allowed Bato's arrest

Sotto rejects claims he allowed Bato's arrest

Published May 12, 2026 06:05 pm
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has denied allegations that he allowed authorities to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa inside the Senate.
Senate President Vicente
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (Senate PRIB photo)
In an interview, he stated he had no prior knowledge that the senator would appear at the Senate on the day National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel were reportedly prepared to serve a warrant of arrest.
Sotto responded to Dela Rosa’s statement that he felt betrayed over the incident, which allegedly unfolded under Sotto’s leadership.
“Apparently, di niya alam kaya sasama loob niya dahil di niya alam kung ano nangyari, iba kaagad ang bintang nila (Apparently, he didn’t know, so he’ll feel bad because he doesn’t know what happened, and right away they put the blame on him),” Sotto said on Tuesday, May 12.
He explained that on the morning of the incident, an NBI representative informed him they supposedly had a warrant of arrest for Dela Rosa. Sotto said he merely instructed them to coordinate with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA).
Sotto maintained that he did not know Dela Rosa would appear at the Senate that day after months of absence.
“Eh sino naman ang mag-aakalang darating siya? Di ko naman alam eh (Who would have thought he’d come? I didn’t know),” he added.
Asked whether he was surprised by Dela Rosa’s arrival, Sotto replied, “Yes.”
He also denied claims that he intentionally allowed NBI agents into the Senate premises to go after the senator.
Sotto, likewise, rejected suggestions that he should apologize to Dela Rosa, insisting that he committed no wrongdoing and did not obstruct justice.
“Bakit? I didn't do anything wrong, wala naman akong obstruction of justice na ginawa, wala rin akong ginawang masama para sa kanya (Why? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t commit obstruction of justice, and I didn’t do anything bad to him),” he said.
“How will I know that he is coming after 7 months of absence to unseat a sitting Senate President? How will I know that?” Sotto added.

Related Tags

Tito Sotto Ronald \'Bato\' Dela Rosa National Bureau of Investigation International Criminal Court
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