Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a prominent figure in the Philippines' political landscape and a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has been conspicuously absent from the Senate for over a month, sparking a storm of speculation, official statements, and mounting criticism. Since November 11, 2025, when the Senate resumed its sessions, Dela Rosa has not made a single appearance in the chamber, missing key legislative activities—including the historic first-ever live-streamed Bicameral Conference Committee (bicam) deliberations for the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget on December 13, 2025, as reported by GMA Integrated News.
The backdrop to Dela Rosa’s absence is a swirl of controversy linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque have both claimed that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, citing his leadership role during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Dela Rosa, who served as chief implementer of the anti-drug campaign under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, has long been vocal about his belief that he would be the ICC’s next target after Duterte himself. This sense of impending legal peril seems to have materialized, at least in the court of public opinion, even as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) remains tight-lipped on the existence of a formal warrant.
According to Philnews.ph, Roque has publicly advised Dela Rosa not to surrender to the ICC and to seek sanctuary in the Supreme Court if necessary. "Do not allow your arrest and transfer of custody to the foreign court," Roque urged, reflecting the deep unease among Duterte allies about the ICC’s expanding reach. Senator Robin Padilla, another Duterte loyalist, echoed this sentiment, counseling Dela Rosa to resist any attempts at extradition or foreign prosecution.
The ICC’s actions have not just rattled Dela Rosa. Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself remains detained under ICC custody in The Hague, Netherlands, after the court rejected his interim release plea—a decision that the Duterte family has reportedly accepted “with open hearts,” as detailed by Philnews.ph. Dela Rosa’s name appears in ICC documents related to Duterte’s case, highlighting his centrality to the events under scrutiny.
Despite his extended absence, Dela Rosa continues to receive his salary as a senator. Senate Finance Committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian explained that the chamber does not operate under a "no work, no pay" rule, meaning that Dela Rosa remains on the payroll even as he skips official duties. This detail, confirmed by Senate President Tito Sotto, has fueled public frustration and calls for accountability. Sotto has gone so far as to state that an ethics complaint could be filed against Dela Rosa due to his prolonged absence, according to reporting by Philnews.ph and corroborated by other local news outlets.
The senator’s absence was particularly noticeable during the December 13 bicam hearing, a critical event for the passage of the national budget. Dela Rosa, who holds the vice-chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee, was designated as a member of the Senate contingent for the bicam but failed to attend. Gatchalian expressed hope beforehand that Dela Rosa would not skip the session, but those hopes were dashed when the senator remained a no-show. Other senators present included Gatchalian himself, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, Mark Villar, Imee Marcos, and Bong Go. Notably, senators Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, and Camille Villar were also absent, but Dela Rosa’s absence drew the most attention due to its duration and the circumstances surrounding it, as GMA Integrated News highlighted.
As rumors and official statements swirl, Dela Rosa’s own lawyer provided a glimpse into the senator’s mindset. On December 11, 2025, the lawyer stated that Dela Rosa is avoiding public appearances because "his personal safety is at stake" amid the reported ICC arrest warrant. This concern for safety, whether rooted in legal or physical fears, has kept the senator out of the public eye and away from his legislative responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the DILG has maintained that it is monitoring Dela Rosa and knows his whereabouts, according to statements made on or before December 13, 2025. While the agency has not confirmed the existence of an ICC arrest warrant, its assertion that it is "keeping track" of the senator has done little to quell speculation about his status or intentions. The DILG’s posture suggests a delicate balancing act—acknowledging public interest while avoiding direct confrontation with international legal processes.
Amidst the controversy, Dela Rosa briefly broke his silence—not in the Senate, but on social media. On December 13, 2025, he posted a photo with his grandchild, expressing happiness at the moment. This personal glimpse was widely interpreted as a subtle response to rumors of his "hiding," showing him in a domestic, rather than a fugitive, light. Still, the timing and context of the post only fueled further debate about his actual circumstances.
The roots of the ICC’s interest in Dela Rosa trace back to his tenure as PNP chief, when he was the main implementer of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. That campaign, infamous for its brutality, has been linked to the deaths of between 6,000 and 30,000 people, according to various estimates cited in local media. The scale and severity of the crackdown have drawn international condemnation and prompted the ICC to investigate alleged crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa’s central role has made him a focal point of both legal scrutiny and political debate.
As the days tick by without a public appearance from Dela Rosa, pressure is mounting from multiple quarters. Critics argue that his absence undermines the Senate’s ability to function and erodes public trust in government accountability. Some suggest that his continued receipt of salary without fulfilling his duties sets a troubling precedent. Supporters, meanwhile, frame his actions as prudent self-protection in the face of international legal overreach, echoing the nationalist rhetoric that has defined much of the Duterte era.
Senate President Sotto’s suggestion that an ethics complaint could be filed signals that the chamber may soon be forced to address the issue head-on. Whether Dela Rosa will emerge from seclusion to defend himself—or whether the controversy will escalate into a full-blown political crisis—remains to be seen. For now, the senator’s silence speaks volumes, leaving colleagues, constituents, and observers alike to wonder what comes next in this high-stakes political and legal drama.
The saga of Senator Bato dela Rosa’s disappearance from the public stage is more than just a story of one man’s legal troubles; it’s a reflection of the Philippines’ ongoing struggle to reconcile domestic politics with international accountability. As the world watches, the next chapter in this unfolding drama is sure to test the country’s institutions—and its leaders—in ways both expected and unforeseen.
