Just In Time: Bato Finally Shows Up

AFTER SIX MONTHS in hibernation, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa suddenly showed up the Senate Monday afternoon to attend the plenary session.

It was the first time Dela Rosa went to the Senate after “news” broke out on an arrest warrant against him supposedly issued by the International Criminal Court in relation to the bloody war against drugs under the previous administration.

Based on the Senate attendance sheet, Dela Rosa missed 31 plenary sessions.

Upon arriving at the session hall, an emotional Dela Rosa assailed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in what he described as a foiled bid to prevent him from entering the Senate premises.

The NBI has yet to issue a statement as of this writing.

The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) earlier issued a subpoena against Dela Rosa in connection with alleged summary killings during his stint as PNP chief under the previous administration.

Meanwhile, the Senate granted a motion filed by Senator Rodante Marcoleta seeking to place Dela Rosa under the protective custody of the chamber at least until the beleaguered legislator exhausts all legal remedies in relation to his ICC case.

“In the light of recent adoption of the Senate of Senate Resolution No. 44, I move that Senator Bato be placed under the Senate protective custody until he is able to exhaust legal remedies to protect himself and until this institution is able to do just the same,” said Marcoleta.