Bato Vanishes, Tito Sotto Shrugs: The Senate’s New National Pastime Is Ghosting the Nation

Where Accountability Goes to Die, Collect Salary, and Still Get a Parking Space

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — November 30, 2025

When the Tough Cop Goes Into Witness Protection… From His Own Job

In the august chambers of the Philippine Senate — where accountability traditionally goes to die a slow, overpaid death — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has unveiled a groundbreaking legal discovery: he doesn’t know the rules, doesn’t care to know them, and even if he did, attendance is purely optional. “They are adults already. It’s their own lookout,” he declared, instantly birthing the Doctrine of Walang Pakialam, soon to be taught in every law school right after the chapter titled “How to Collect Salary Without Showing Up.”

Tito Sotto and the Amazing Case of Selective Amnesia

The man who has been Senate President longer than some senators have been potty-trained now claims he “does not recall” any penalty for prolonged absences and needs to “check the rules.”
This is the same Tito Sotto who once threatened to cite people for contempt faster than you can say “Eat Bulaga.” But when one of his own vanishes for weeks? Suddenly the rulebook is written in ancient Martian.

**Bato’s new defense strategy: if the ICC can’t find you, they can’t arraign you—budget hearings, however, still can.**

Bato dela Rosa: The Disappearing Chairman Act of 2025

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa — former PNP chief, self-proclaimed drug-war hardman, and current chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security — has been absent without leave since the Senate resumed on November 10, 2025.
That’s right: the man in charge of overseeing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) budget couldn’t be bothered to defend it. While rumors swirl that he’s “verifying” possible International Criminal Court (ICC) developments, the rest of the country is left wondering if “national defense” now includes defending yourself from showing up to work.

The Senate: A Country Club That Can Jail You But Can’t Make Its Members Clock In

The same institution that once jailed a 70-year-old nurse for contempt now shrugs when a senator ghosts the nation for weeks. They can send the Sergeant-at-Arms to drag ordinary citizens into the chamber, but when it’s one of their own? Crickets. Beautiful, taxpayer-funded crickets.

The Law Is Crystal Clear (Even If Tito Pretends It’s Written in Invisible Ink)

Let’s read slowly, for the benefit of the Senate President:

1987 Constitution, Article VI, Section 16(3) – Each House may “punish its Members for disorderly behavior” and, with two-thirds vote, suspend or expel. Vanishing during budget deliberations while chairing national defense? That qualifies.
Rules of the Senate, Section 99 – The Presiding Officer can order the Sergeant-at-Arms to compel attendance — yes, even by arrest if necessary.
Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) – Public officials must discharge duties with “utmost responsibility.” Hiding from possible ICC heat is not “utmost responsibility.”
Neri v. Senate Committee (G.R. No. 180643, 2008) – The Supreme Court already reminded the Senate: you don’t get to ignore your own rules just because it’s awkward.

The Glorious Ripple Effects of “It’s Their Own Lookout”

The AFP and Department of National Defense budgets were defended by a substitute because the actual chairman was too busy… somewhere else.
Public trust in the Senate hits a new low — somewhere between “Duterte drug war” and “Congressional pork barrel.”
Future precedent: any senator facing heat can simply disappear and still collect salary. Genius.
International optics: the Philippines bravely asserts sovereignty by allegedly sheltering a senator from the ICC while lecturing the world about rule of law.

Do This. Right Now. Or Forever Hold Your Peace (and Your Salary)

Senate President Sotto: Invoke Section 99 today. Send the Sergeant-at-Arms to Bato’s residence. Not to arrest — just to confirm he’s still breathing and remind him the Philippines has an army.
Strip Bato dela Rosa of the National Defense committee chairmanship immediately. Abandonment is forfeiture.
Refer the entire circus to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Let them decide if hiding from the ICC constitutes disorderly behavior.
Amend the Senate Rules: unexcused absence beyond seven session days = automatic censure + salary forfeiture. Make it hurt.
Voters: remember every senator who shrugged, covered, or said “it’s their own lookout.” See you in 2028.

The Senate is not a safe house for tough-talking cowards. Start acting like the upper chamber — or stop pretending you are one.

— Louis “Barok” C. Biraogo
29 November 2025