SENATOR Robin Padilla confirmed on Monday, May 18, that his colleague Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains within the country’s territory, even as he admitted having no exact information regarding the lawmaker’s current whereabouts.
“I have no idea where Bato is,” Padilla stated openly, while clarifying: “I can confirm that he is in the Philippines. He will not leave.” The statement comes amid widespread speculation over Dela Rosa’s location following his dramatic departure from the Senate complex last week, where he had been staying under protective custody amid intense legal pressure.
Dela Rosa is currently the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to the previous administration’s anti‑drug campaign. After a long period of absence from public view, he resurfaced only recently, returning to the Senate chamber last week to participate in the election of new leaders.
His sudden appearance triggered a tense standoff, as agents from the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the international warrant but were prevented from doing so by Senate security, leading to confusion and a security breach that allowed him to slip out before dawn on May 14.
Padilla’s confirmation that Dela Rosa has not fled the country helps ease concerns that the senator might have escaped jurisdiction, but it also raises further questions about how he continues to move freely despite an active international arrest order and ongoing efforts by authorities to locate him.
The situation remains a focal point of controversy, highlighting the ongoing conflict between domestic institutions and international obligations, as well as debates over the extent of legislative immunity and the rule of law in the country. For now, Padilla’s assurance is the only official update from within the Senate, even as the search for Dela Rosa’s exact location continues.
