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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Maging sino man': Padilla backs online attendance for any senator sans final conviction

'Maging sino man': Padilla backs online attendance for any senator sans final conviction

Published May 28, 2026 03:08 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Robin Padilla said Senator Ronald dela Rosa is not intentionally avoiding Senate sessions but fears possible arrest by the International Criminal Court.
  • Padilla argued that dela Rosa, whom he described as one of the Senate's most diligent members in terms of attendance, should still be allowed to work through online participation.
  • The senator also invoked the principle of presumption of innocence, saying dela Rosa has not been convicted of any crime and should continue fulfilling the mandate given to him by Filipino voters.
Senator Robin Padilla again defended Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa amid debates over proposals allowing senators to attend sessions online, saying the latter’s situation is far different from simply refusing to physically report to the Senate.
Senator Robin Padilla (Facebook page photo)
Senator Robin Padilla (Facebook page photo)
In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 28, Padilla pointed out that dela Rosa is facing a possible arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying this was the reason the senator preferred to participate through online means.
“Hindi niya gusto na hindi pumasok dahil isasakay sa eroplano at dadalhin sa dayuhang bansa at ikulong (He doesn’t want to be absent because he would be put on a plane, taken to a foreign country, and imprisoned),” Padilla said.
Padilla stressed that dela Rosa had consistently been among the most diligent senators in terms of attendance and participation in Senate work.
“Hindi maipagkakaila sa talaan sa Senado na si Senator Ronald dela Rosa ang isa sa pinakamasipag na naging senador sa usapin lalo ng attendance (It cannot be denied in the Senate records that Senator Ronald dela Rosa has been one of the most diligent senators, especially when it comes to attendance),” he said.
He also argued that dela Rosa should still be allowed to fulfill his mandate as senator through online participation, noting that he was elected by millions of Filipinos.
“Iniluklok siya ng taong-bayan na maging senador; hayaan natin siyang magtrabaho para sa taong-bayan sa pamamagitan ng online (He was entrusted by the people to serve as senator; let us allow him to work for the people through online means),” Padilla added.
Padilla, likewise, cited statements made by US President Donald Trump criticizing the ICC, saying the latter had described the tribunal as “illegitimate” and politically motivated.
According to Padilla, critics should remember that dela Rosa has not been convicted of any crime and remains protected by the principle of presumption of innocence.
“Ang isang tao ay itinuturing na walang sala hangga't hindi napatutunayang nagkasala (A person is considered innocent until proven guilty),” he said.
"Maging sino man na senador hanggat walang final conviction ibig sabihin hindi pa kriminal ang tao kaya't dapat gawin niya ang mandato niya dahil ibinoto siya ng mga Pilipino (Whoever the senator may be, as long as there is no final conviction, it means the person is not yet a criminal and therefore must carry out his mandate because he was elected by the Filipino people)," he added.
Padilla further said preventing dela Rosa from participating in Senate work would undermine the mandate given to him by voters.
"Mas marami ang bumoto sa kanya para manungkulan. Gamitin ang technology para magampanan niya ito (More people voted for him to serve. Let us use technology so he can fulfill that duty),” he said.

Related Tags

Robin Padilla Bato dela Rosa International Criminal Court Senate of the Philippines
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