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De Lima, Cendana Push Probe Into Senate's Handling Of Bato
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Leila de Lima and Percival Cendaña are calling for an independent investigation into the Senate’s controversial handling of Senator Ronald dela Rosa following days of chaos, protective custody issues, and reports of gunfire inside the Senate complex.
In a joint statement released Friday, the two lawmakers questioned how Dela Rosa — who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war — was supposedly able to leave the Senate premises after being placed under protective custody.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakagigil, at there has to be an investigation,” De Lima said.
The former senator stressed that the incident raises serious concerns about the integrity of the Senate as an institution.
“Kailangan may investigation sa mga pangyayari yung nakaraang dalawa o tatlong araw sa Senado. Dahil nakakabahala, it’s very concerning, hindi dapat ’yan nangyayari sa isang institusyon like the Senate,” she added.
Questions have continued to pile up over the Senate’s role in allegedly shielding Dela Rosa, especially after reports of tension and confusion inside the chamber amid efforts to enforce the ICC-related warrant.
De Lima argued that the Senate cannot investigate itself because lawmakers themselves were directly involved in the events.
“And it has to be an independent investigation. Hindi puwedeng internal o hindi puwedeng ang Senado mismo ang mag-imbestiga,” she pointed out.
She also raised concerns about how Dela Rosa reportedly managed to leave despite being under Senate protection.
“And yun na nga, kung binigyan ng protective custody, bakit nakawala?” De Lima asked.
The lawmaker suggested that the investigation should instead be led by seasoned investigators and retired members of the judiciary to ensure credibility and impartiality.
“It goes into the very integrity, the very dignity of an institution like Senate, a democratic institution,” she said.
De Lima also disputed claims that Philippine authorities first need a local warrant before acting on the ICC arrest order.
“Wala pong gano’ng requirement na kailangan muna ng isang warrant of arrest from a local court,” she explained, citing Republic Act No. 9851.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. Cendaña warned that the Senate’s reputation has already suffered because of the controversy.
“Ito mga nangyayari itong nakaraang araw, nakakahiya na nga yung Senado. Mas ipapahiya pa nila yung sarili nila,” he said.
Cendaña further accused allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte of maneuvering inside the Senate to protect both Dela Rosa and Vice President Sara Duterte amid the ongoing political turmoil.
“Nakita natin kung paano nagmaniobra yung mga kampon ni Duterte para protektahan ang isang pugante,” Cendaña claimed.
He also said the reported gunfire incident inside the Senate should be thoroughly investigated to determine who orchestrated the events and who stood to benefit from the chaos.
“Malalaman natin kung sino may pakana, kung sino ang pinaka-nakinabang,” he said.
The controversy comes as tensions continue to rise inside the Senate following recent leadership changes and the looming impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Duterte.
In a joint statement released Friday, the two lawmakers questioned how Dela Rosa — who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war — was supposedly able to leave the Senate premises after being placed under protective custody.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakagigil, at there has to be an investigation,” De Lima said.
The former senator stressed that the incident raises serious concerns about the integrity of the Senate as an institution.
“Kailangan may investigation sa mga pangyayari yung nakaraang dalawa o tatlong araw sa Senado. Dahil nakakabahala, it’s very concerning, hindi dapat ’yan nangyayari sa isang institusyon like the Senate,” she added.
Questions have continued to pile up over the Senate’s role in allegedly shielding Dela Rosa, especially after reports of tension and confusion inside the chamber amid efforts to enforce the ICC-related warrant.
De Lima argued that the Senate cannot investigate itself because lawmakers themselves were directly involved in the events.
“And it has to be an independent investigation. Hindi puwedeng internal o hindi puwedeng ang Senado mismo ang mag-imbestiga,” she pointed out.
She also raised concerns about how Dela Rosa reportedly managed to leave despite being under Senate protection.
“And yun na nga, kung binigyan ng protective custody, bakit nakawala?” De Lima asked.
The lawmaker suggested that the investigation should instead be led by seasoned investigators and retired members of the judiciary to ensure credibility and impartiality.
“It goes into the very integrity, the very dignity of an institution like Senate, a democratic institution,” she said.
De Lima also disputed claims that Philippine authorities first need a local warrant before acting on the ICC arrest order.
“Wala pong gano’ng requirement na kailangan muna ng isang warrant of arrest from a local court,” she explained, citing Republic Act No. 9851.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. Cendaña warned that the Senate’s reputation has already suffered because of the controversy.
“Ito mga nangyayari itong nakaraang araw, nakakahiya na nga yung Senado. Mas ipapahiya pa nila yung sarili nila,” he said.
Cendaña further accused allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte of maneuvering inside the Senate to protect both Dela Rosa and Vice President Sara Duterte amid the ongoing political turmoil.
“Nakita natin kung paano nagmaniobra yung mga kampon ni Duterte para protektahan ang isang pugante,” Cendaña claimed.
He also said the reported gunfire incident inside the Senate should be thoroughly investigated to determine who orchestrated the events and who stood to benefit from the chaos.
“Malalaman natin kung sino may pakana, kung sino ang pinaka-nakinabang,” he said.
The controversy comes as tensions continue to rise inside the Senate following recent leadership changes and the looming impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Duterte.
May 15, 2026
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