Monday’s leadership change in the Senate drew criticism from several lawmakers after the transition was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the reported attempt to serve an arrest warrant on Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa inside Senate premises.
The leadership shift installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, but tensions escalated after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents reportedly attempted to serve a warrant on dela Rosa, who appeared in the chamber to vote in favor of the change.
Dela Rosa earlier claimed that NBI agents pursued him and tried to prevent him from reaching the plenary hall.
Senator Panfilo Lacson described the incident as an “ugly” and “unpleasant” spectacle regardless of political affiliation, saying the transition could have been handled through the Senate’s usual tradition and internal protocol.
According to Lacson, a bloc that has secured at least 13 votes would normally inform the sitting Senate president before session that it already has the numbers to effect a leadership change, allowing for a smoother transition.
He said security concerns involving dela Rosa may have influenced the timing and manner of the leadership move, but maintained that the events still hurt the chamber’s image.
Lacson also said dela Rosa may have placed himself in a more difficult situation by personally attending the session to vote, given reports of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He added that the issue could become a legal test on whether an arrest warrant issued by an international tribunal may be enforced in the Philippines without a corresponding warrant from a local court.
The senator likewise questioned the move to cite in contempt the NBI agents who allegedly attempted to serve the warrant inside the Senate.
“To me, that is procedurally wrong,” Lacson said, arguing that indirect contempt proceedings should first have been initiated to allow the agents to explain their actions.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also criticized the incident, saying the confrontation involving dela Rosa and the NBI brought embarrassment to the Senate.
“The Senate is going viral for the wrong reasons,” Hontiveros said. “That affects everything and everyone: majority and minority, Senate employees, and most of all, the work that we do for the Filipino people.”
She urged Cayetano to protect the dignity and credibility of the institution, warning that public trust in the Senate suffers when political conflict overshadows legislative work.