Trillanes Threatens Ethics Action Against Dela Rosa Over ICC-Related Absence
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has announced plans to file a formal ethics complaint against Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa if the latter continues to remain absent from public view. This development comes as Dela Rosa has reportedly been in hiding for over two months following reports of an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to his role in the controversial war on drugs campaign.
Senate Leadership Clarifies Complaint Procedures
In response to Trillanes' statement, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III emphasized that any concerned citizen has the right to file a complaint against a senator. He assured that such complaints would be processed according to established Senate rules and procedures. Once properly referred, the Ethics Committee Chairman would provide updates to the public regarding the status of the complaint.
Ethics Committee Faces Procedural Hurdles
Senator JV Ejercito, who chairs the Ethics Committee, explained that should Trillanes proceed with filing a complaint, it would need to be queued behind other pending ethics complaints currently before the committee. He noted that the committee has not yet been fully constituted as the Senate is currently on break, creating additional procedural delays.
Dela Rosa's Response on His Birthday
On the occasion of his 64th birthday last Wednesday, Senator Dela Rosa shared a message indicating he would wait for the appropriate time to face any charges filed against him as a Filipino citizen. While not directly addressing the ICC warrant or Trillanes' planned complaint, his statement suggests a measured approach to the legal challenges he may be facing.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions within Philippine politics regarding accountability for actions taken during the drug war, with the ICC investigation continuing to cast a shadow over several officials. The potential ethics complaint adds another layer to the complex legal and political landscape surrounding these controversial policies and their implementers.
