MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday said that only the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges can initiate sanctions against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, including possible expulsion, over his prolonged absence from the chamber.

Lacson emphasized that without a complaint filed before the Ethics Committee and its subsequent recommendations to the plenary, the Senate leadership has no legal basis to sanction dela Rosa.

“As far as sanctioning senators or congressmen, only the Ethics Committee can make recommendations. And in the absence of any complaint filed before the Ethics Committee which was constituted only recently, the Senate President or Senate leadership has no basis to sanction him. That includes the possible withholding of salary for the time he does not report for work,” Lacson said in an interview on DZMM radio.

He noted that the Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator JV Ejercito, is awaiting the filing of an ethics complaint and is expected to hold an organizational meeting next week. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has indicated he may file a complaint in May, six months after dela Rosa stopped reporting for work.

When asked if dela Rosa’s absence could lead to expulsion, Lacson said it would be up to the Ethics Committee to make the proper interpretation. “A serious offense must be a basis for suspension or expulsion, and such an action must have the votes of two-thirds of senators in plenary,” he said.

Lacson also noted that dela Rosa’s office continues to function, filing bills and resolutions. He said that even if the plenary decides to withhold the senator’s salary, his staff would likely continue to receive theirs.

In the meantime, Lacson said dela Rosa has not directly communicated with him. He asked Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to relay a message to dela Rosa’s wife inquiring about his wellbeing.

“I talked to Sen. Bong Go and asked him if dela Rosa is communicating with him. He said he is not, so he relayed his messages to dela Rosa’s wife. I asked him to relay my message to his wife asking how he is doing,” Lacson said.