Jamaine Punzalan

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, August 6, 2025. Joseph B. Vidal/OSP

Article (news)

SENATE- IMPEACHMENT VOTE- SC DECISION

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177261217713320250806-senate-impeachment-vote-dela-rosa-OSP2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, August 6, 2025. Joseph B. Vidal/OSP </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Senate Ethics Committee Chair JV Ejercito said Wednesday he would not prioritize the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/group-files-ethics-complaint-vs-sen-bato-dela-rosa-over-prolonged-absence-1140">ethics complaint against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa</a> over earlier filings. </p><p>Ejercito noted that the complaint against Dela Rosa was the sixth pending before the panel, which would tackle complaints on a “first in, first out” basis.</p><p>&quot;We cannot act on any cases right now. And if you refer to Senator Dela Rosa, that&#x27;s the sixth complaint… I mentioned earlier, first in, first out, just like in any other agency or organization. So, pang-anim pa yun,” he said. </p><p>“Hintay-hintay lang but we will get to that,&quot; he added. </p><p>Ejercito added that there was no action yet on the call for a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/4/sandro-marcos-says-no-work-no-pay-scheme-in-private-sector-should-also-apply-to-congress-2111">no work, no pay policy </a>for absentee senators, specifically for Dela Rosa who has skipped both the public eye and work at the Senate since November 2025, following reports of a supposed warrant of arrest from the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/15/drug-war-victims-kin-welcome-naming-of-bato-go-as-co-perpetrators-in-icc-case-0954">International Criminal Court </a>for him.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/28/dela-rosa-s-salary-may-be-withheld-due-to-continued-absence-lacson-1109">No work, no pay? Bato dela Rosa&#x27;s salary may be withheld due to continued absence — Lacson</a></div><p>Ejercito said the panel would weed out frivolous complaints.</p><p>&quot;Siguro it will already be the discretion of the committee… There are a lot of members who have the experience,” the senator said. </p><p>&quot;We will vet first kung ano yung talagang according to rules, nasa according to form, kasi baka ma-technical yung iba eh. In case, we&#x27;ll tell the complainants na ayusin nyo if you would decide so to refile kung saka-sakali. The committee will will review nga kung ano talaga yung may grounds.”</p><p>Ejercito declined to name the senators facing ethics complaints until “the committee finds sufficient grounds.” </p><p>He said the senators would “be given the chance to respond to the allegations” and committee hearings would be done in closed door executive sessions. </p><p>“Kasi it will be unfair naman kung halimbawa, I hope that the public will understand, that in case it will be dismissed, pero di ba damage will have been done already, kahit na in the end, kung ma-dismiss man yung kaso, pero napagpiyestahan na. Especially in this day and age of social media, napakabilis… One&#x27;s reputation can be ruined…within seconds,” he said. </p><p>Ejercito noted the panel is merely recommendatory, as the ultimate decision on cases would be made by the Senate as a whole.</p><p>“‘Pag talagang malala, siguro suspension or kung malalang malala then expulsion, the ethics committee will just recommend. Again, it will be the body who will decide as a whole,” he said. </p><p>The 7-person panel met Wednesday to approve the Committee&#x27;s Rules of Procedure, which is required before it starts working on the cases. </p><p>“We can only act…right after the publication of the adopted rules this morning,” Ejercito noted. </p><p>Aside from dela Rosa and Ejercito, Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Francis Escudero also face complaints before the panel, according to the public disclosures of the complainants.</p><p>The panel has jurisdiction over all matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity and reputation of the Senate and its members. </p><p>While Ejercito is the chairperson, its vice chairperson is Senator Francis Pangilinan, with Risa Hontiveros, Erwin Tulfo, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos and Christopher Lawrence Go as members. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano are ex-officio members.</p><p>Under the 1987 Constitution, each House of Congress may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed 60 days. </p><div><strong>— Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News </strong></div><div><iframe width="1022" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d8x6aq8Yed8" title="ICC arrest warrants vs Bato, Bong Go, other &#x27;co-perpetrators&#x27; possibly issued - ex-ICC judge | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Senate Ethics Committee Chair JV Ejercito said Wednesday he would not prioritize the ethics complaint against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa over earlier filings.</p>

Senate Ethics Committee Chair JV Ejercito said Wednesday he would not prioritize the ethics complaint against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa over earlier filings.

Dela Rosa ethics complaint won’t jump line in panel — Ejercito

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Dela Rosa ethics complaint won’t jump line in panel — Ejercito

ABS-CBN News

Published March 04, 2026 04:23 PM PHT

|

Updated March 04, 2026 04:24 PM PHT

Read More:

JV Ejercito

Ronald dela Rosa

Bato

ethics complaint

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.