Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa turns emotional while speaking with fellow Senator Bong Go during the start of the plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Lawmakers tackled key legislative measures and national issues during the continuation of the session, following a change of leadership in which Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano took over as the new Senate President. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News.

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Senate convening as an impeachment court to hear the case against Vice President Sara Duterte has raised questions on whether Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whose whereabouts remain undisclosed amid a looming arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), may participate and vote in the proceedings.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/16/wrap-a-coup-gunfire-and-a-week-worth-decades-at-the-senate-1644">Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate</a> last week to help elect Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to the Senate presidency but has since been absent from sessions because of the warrant.The Department of Justice on Wednesday said authorities would not move to arrest him while his petition at the Supreme Court to block implementation of the ICC order remains pending.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/doj-bato-can-go-to-senate-without-fear-of-arrest-pending-sc-ruling-1234">DOJ: Bato can go to Senate without fear of arrest pending SC ruling </a></div>University of the Philippines College of Law Associate Dean Paolo Tamase said technical rules may allow participation through video conferencing, but stressed that the matter ultimately depends on the Senate’s internal rules.“[A]ng magde-decision po kung pwede o hindi ay ang Senado bilang taga-usig at binigyan ng Constitution na mag-decision sa mga impeachment case,” he said in a media forum on Wednesday, May 20.(The Senate, which the Constitution has tasked with deciding impeachment cases, can decide if it will allow remote voting)Tamase noted, however, that previous impeachment trials did not permit remote participation.Another issue being raised is Dela Rosa’s oath-taking as a senator-judge.Dela Rosa was briefly at the Senate last week but was absent this Monday when senators took their oaths as part of the impeachment court.“Mayroon kasing textual requirement sa Saligang Batas na kailangan mag-oath yung senator before siya umupo sa isang impeachment trial,” Tamase said.(There is a textual requirement in the Constitution for senators to take their oaths before sitting in an impeachment trial)He said even if Dela Rosa is allowed to take his oath remotely, he would still need to disclose his location because the oath must be administered within Philippine territory to be valid.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/did-robin-padilla-help-bato-leave-senate-2030">Did Robin Padilla help Bato leave Senate?</a></div>“Important limitation yun, yung pagbibigay kasi ng oath, restricted siya dun sa teritoryo nung tao na nagbibigay ng oath,” he explained.(That is an important limitation because an oath is restricted to the territory where the person giving the oath is)Beyond the question of voting, Lyceum of the Philippines University College of Law Dean Ma. Soledad Deriquito-Mawis emphasized that active participation in the trial is equally important.“Kailangan ng isang mapanuring partisipasyon. He should ask the right questions, he should be able to appreciate the evidence during the trial proper. Bago siya makarating sa botohan, ano ang pamantayan niya kung wala siya lagi sa Senado? That’s very important,” she added.(It requires critical participation. He should ask the right questions, he should be able to appreciate the evidence during the trial proper. Before he even votes, what would be the basis for it if he is not at the Senate? That&#x27;s very important.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/pnp-links-padilla-vehicle-to-dela-rosa-s-senate-exit-1820">PNP links Padilla vehicle to Dela Rosa&#x27;s Senate exit</a></div>

University of the Philippines College of Law Associate Dean Paolo Tamase said technical rules may allow participation through video conferencing, but stressed that the matter ultimately depends on the Senate’s internal rules.

University of the Philippines College of Law Associate Dean Paolo Tamase said technical rules may allow participation through video conferencing, but stressed that the matter ultimately depends on the Senate’s internal rules.

Can Bato participate, vote in VP Duterte impeachment trial from afar? Experts weigh in

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Can Bato participate, vote in VP Duterte impeachment trial from afar? Experts weigh in

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News,

Published May 20, 2026 02:01 PM PHT

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Bato Dela Rosa

Impeachment

Sara Duterte

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