Metro Manila, Philippines – Four ethics complaints against senators, including ethics committee chairperson JV Ejercito, have been dismissed as “frivolous,” while the complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been deferred pending his comment.
Ejercito announced the developments to the media on Monday, May 4, following a closed-door meeting of the committee.
“Four complaints were dismissed, considered frivolous. Ito na, nireview na ho ito ng committee for several weeks and dismissed today. And three complaints were deferred action for further study,” Ejercito said.
He also confirmed that the complaint against him was among those junked during proceedings presided over by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“I inhibited for a while and stepped out of the room. It was Senator Pangilinan who chaired and since there are already actions being taken by the committee, so it was voted by committee members to dismiss,” Ejercito said.
The complaint against Ejercito was for gross neglect of constitutional duty over his alleged failure to act on a separate ethics case against Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
Ejercito said petitioners may refile their complaints if they comply with requirements on form and substance.
“Kung talagang serious, edi magre-refile, he said.
Ejercito refused to name the other senators involved in the complaints, saying the committee agreed to keep the matters confidential.
Meanwhile, the committee deferred action on three complaints, including the one against Dela Rosa. Ejercito said the panel asked Dela Rosa to comment on proposals to amend Senate rules on absenteeism, including a “no work, no pay” policy.
Ejercito has been urging Dela Rosa to voluntarily forgo his salary and allowances amid his prolonged absence. He said Dela Rosa has yet to respond, but his office relayed that the senator is already considering it.
Dela Rosa has not been attending sessions since November amid talks of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, where he is being linked as a co-perpetrator in the crimes against humanity case of murder filed against detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.
