MANILA – Senators Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday raised concerns over tensions and disorder that followed the recent change in Senate leadership, as well as the situation involving Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa inside the chamber.
Lacson said the transition that installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president on Monday did not reflect the usual courtesy and proper procedure observed during leadership changes in the Senate.
“Regardless of political alignment, what happened on Monday was not a pleasant sight,” Lacson said in a radio interview, describing the events as “ugly” and lacking decorum.
He added that in past transitions, senators typically coordinated with the outgoing Senate president before formally proceeding with leadership changes to ensure an orderly process. He noted that outgoing and incoming leaders would usually even vote for each other as part of tradition.
However, Lacson acknowledged that the new majority may have avoided immediate coordination with then Senate president Vicente Sotto III due to concerns involving Dela Rosa, who is reportedly facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Hontiveros, for her part, said the Senate has been “going viral for the wrong reasons” following online circulation of incidents involving Dela Rosa and law enforcement personnel inside the Senate complex.
She warned that public trust in the institution is being eroded, stressing that “respect for the Senate is lost when its powers and traditions are misused to avoid accountability.”
The senator called on the new leadership to restore proper procedure, accountability, and institutional dignity.
Lacson also criticized the Senate’s decision to cite National Bureau of Investigation personnel in contempt after they allegedly attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Dela Rosa inside the Senate, saying the move was “procedurally incorrect.”
He further noted that Dela Rosa is effectively restricted within Senate premises due to the ICC warrant, adding that he may face arrest once he steps outside. (PNA)
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