Bato Dela Rosa misses budget defense amid ICC arrest warrant rumors

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa's continued absence from the Senate has led to him missing the budget defense for key agencies under his chairmanship, including the Department of National Defense.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has expressed strong disapproval of Dela Rosa's absence, stating he should not have accepted committee chairmanships if he could not fulfill his duties.

Dela Rosa informed the leadership of his inability to defend the proposed 2026 budgets for the Department of National Defense, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Dangerous Drugs Board.

Rumors of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, related to the drug war during the Duterte administration, have circulated as a possible reason for his absence, though this has not been independently confirmed by his legal counsel.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on November 8 that an arrest warrant had been issued against the senator by the ICC for crimes against humanity related to the drug war.