MANILA, Philippines — Senate officials turned down a request from Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to allow his family to stay at the Senate Mansion in Baguio City later this month, pointing to ongoing renovation work at the government facility.
In correspondence dated March 12 and addressed to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Dela Rosa sought approval to use the mansion from March 26 to 29, 2026.
According to the senator, the accommodation would be used exclusively for his family members who intend to attend the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) Cup 2026 taking place in Baguio City.
The Senate secretary’s office, however, informed him that the request could not be accommodated because the building is currently undergoing repairs.
Dela Rosa, who previously served as Philippine National Police chief, did not state in his letter whether he would personally be present at the event.
The senator has been absent from Senate proceedings since November, after reports surfaced that the International Criminal Court had issued a warrant for his arrest. The report was attributed to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, though the ICC has not publicly confirmed the claim.
In documents later released by the ICC without redactions, Dela Rosa and six other former officials were named as alleged co-perpetrators in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte related to the administration’s anti-drug campaign.
leamsiogima/xf
