After being absent in the Senate session for months, Sen. Bato dela Rosa resurfaced in the Senate on May 11, 2026, taking part in the leadership change inside the chamber. Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan/PNA.
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday made a pointed remark about Senator Ronald dela Rosa, telling him to “hide well” as authorities continued efforts to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Lacson clarified he was not in a position to urge Dela Rosa to surrender, but recalled their past ties in law enforcement, where the latter once served under him in the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.
He said Dela Rosa’s actions could be viewed as self-preservation, adding that it was up to the senator whether to face the accusations or remain out of reach.
Dela Rosa’s location remained unknown after he slipped out of the Senate complex before dawn on May 14, shortly after a reported disturbance inside the building.
Days earlier, he had resurfaced after months out of public view and joined a crucial vote that led to a change in Senate leadership that seated, now Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier attempted to serve the ICC warrant on Dela Rosa, but he managed to evade them, prompting the Senate to briefly place him under protective custody.
Lacson drew parallels to his own experience, noting that he also went into hiding while facing criminal allegations during his time in public office before eventually being cleared by the courts.
He stressed, however, that his case differed, as he relied on legal remedies available at the time even without being under detention.
The senator also took the opportunity to call on law enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence work and coordination, saying these were critical in tracking high-profile fugitives and avoiding operational lapses.