MANILA — Amid his continued absence from the chamber, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has filed two proposed measures, including a bill seeking to penalize foreign interference in the country.

In a report, it said that based on Senate records, Dela Rosa signed the measures filed with the Senate Bills and Index Section on Monday, May 4, at 2:56 p.m. and 2:57 p.m., as the Senate resumed session after a month-long recess. The bills were later read in plenary on Wednesday, May 6.

Proposed Senate Bill No. 2080, or the Counter Foreign Interference Act, seeks to define and penalize foreign interference while creating a counter foreign interference council. The proposed body would implement programs covering political, economic, social, technological, educational, legal, and military components.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill No. 2079, or the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) Act, aims to strengthen the operationalization of the NPCS, including maintaining a centralized database of crime incidents, arrest warrants, and personal records of arrested and wanted individuals.

Dela Rosa has not appeared in public nor attended any Senate sessions since November 2025, amid claims that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against him over his alleged involvement in the controversial war on drugs.

The senator is also facing an ethics complaint over his prolonged absence. On Monday, the Senate ethics committee asked him to comment on a proposal to amend Senate rules to include a “no work, no pay” policy for absentee senators.