Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa believes that attending the House of Representatives Quad Committee's investigation into the issues during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a disrespect to his position as a senator.
In his opening statement on Monday before the Senate Committee on Blue Ribbon, which is conducting a motu proprio inquiry in aid of legislation on the Philippine War on Drugs, Dela Rosa stated that he did not prepare for the Senate hearing, as telling the truth does not require preparation.
"Noong mga nakaraang araw, natanong ako kung ano raw ang ginagawa kong preparasyon para sa pagdinig natin sa araw na ito, ang sagot ko po ay wala sapagkat ang pagsasabi ng totoo ay hindi humihingi ng espesyal na paghahanda," he stated.
Meanwhile, in response to those criticizing his absence from the House Quad Committee hearing, the senator reiterated the Senate's tradition of interparliamentary courtesy.
"My position on this has remained the same: I do not wish to be the first to break the tradition of interparliamentary courtesy. If our counterparts in the lower house do not exercise interparliamentary courtesy, this humble representation dies. But most importantly," said Dela Rosa.
"I do not wish to be their guest in their gag show," he furthered.
Dela Rosa, however, assured that he would be attending the House hearing after his term as a Senator and sought respect for the Senate's interparliamentary courtesy.
"Kaya hintayin nalang nila Mr. President, 'pag hindi an ako Senador I will be there everyday. Kung gusto pa nila doon ako tumira sa kanila," said the Former Police Chief.
It can be recalled that Dela Rosa was invited to the Lower House along with former President Duterte to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, as well as crimes linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa did not attend the hearing and suggested that the Senate conduct its own inquiry using his motu proprio to counter the accusations being thrown at them.
