25/05/2026
Shut down Bato’s office;
revoke special privileges
by Jarius Bondoc - May 22, 2026
A plea is going viral to close the office of Senator Bato dela Rosa, and his staff to go on leave without pay. That staff includes ten close relatives who draw government salaries and benefits.
Bato fled from Senate “protective custody” in the wee hours of Thursday, May 14th and has gone back into hiding. The Solicitor General declared him a fugitive, with the Office of the President and the Dept. of Justice agreeing.
The police and NBI are to serve an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Bato has been charged as co-perpetrator of ex-President Rody Duterte in crimes against humanity. It has to do with the killings of thousands of drug suspects when Duterte was Davao City mayor then President, and Bato was city police chief then National Police director general.
Manhunt, detention at The Hague, and trial can take months or years. Bato will be unable to attend to Senate duties. Best not to waste money on an idle office.
Bato’s ten employee-relatives were identified by +iMPACT Leadership youth empowerment group, based on his sworn Disclosure of Relatives in Government as of June 30th, 2025. Monthly salaries are presented from separate research of 2026 pay grades:
• Marianne Kristel Dela Rosa Estoesta, daughter, Chief of Staff, P210,718;
• Mona Lisa Dela Rosa Gino, daughter, Director II, P131,807;
• Ruvy Ann Dela Rosa Garcia, sister, Supervising Political Affairs Officer, P81,796;
• Jessica May P. Dela Rosa, niece, Supervising Legislative Staff Officer III, P116,643;
• Joanne Cedie P. Dela Rosa, niece, Supervising Legislative Staff Officer III, P116,643;
• John Kerwin D. Garcia, nephew, Political Assistant Officer II, P36,125;
• Jose Erwin Garcia, brother-in-law, Supervising Legislative Staff Officer, P91,306;
• Ronald Yambao, brother-in-law, Political Affairs Officer II, P36,125;
• Rebecca Commandante, sister-in-law, Political Affairs Officer III, P42,178;
• Jennifer Commandante, sister-in-law, Political Affairs Officer III, P42,178. Their monthly salaries total P905,519, excluding allowances.
Bato justified as “confidential assistants” the ten family members he hired. But top government officials are usually entitled to only one such confidential aide.
The Senate should also withhold once and for all Bato’s monthly salary of around P300,000. Also his monthly representation and transportation allowance, P15,500; and subsistence allowance, P2,000.
Bato’s total staff budget is P2.5 million-P3.5 million a month. They all receive allowances, 13th month pay, and mid-year bonus.
Budget for office supplies, maintenance, utilities, and other operating expenses is P1.5 million-P2.2 million.
Suspending all these would mean government savings of P4,317,500 to P6,017,500 a month.
Bato had been absent from work for six months, since Nov. 2025 when the Ombudsman announced the receipt of an informal copy of the ICC arrest warrant. He attended by surprise the plenary on May 11th only to complete a majority of 13 to depose Senate President Tito Sotto and install Alan Cayetano. The 13 are known allies of VP Sara Duterte, whom they anticipated to be impeached that day by the House of Reps.
In the next day’s plenary Bato nominated retired PNP Major General Mao Aplasca as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. Aplasca, from Philippine Military Academy Class 1987, was a protegé of Bato, PMA 1986.
The following night Aplasca and three subordinates fired 44 shots at an NBI agent and a security guard at the adjoining GSIS building. Majority senators caucusing at an upper floor thought they were under attack. At 2:30 a.m. Thursday Bato sneaked out with the help of ex-convict Senator Robin Padilla.
The Majority bent the rules by giving Bato special protection. The Constitution forbids the arrest of any lawmaker while Congress is in session but only for offenses with imprisonment of less than six months. Mass murder, as crime against humanity, merits life imprisonment.
This week the Senate majority passed another special resolution for Bato. He may participate and vote in plenary in absentia, via video conferencing.
Bato’s special treatment shows the ICC that he is privileged and that Philippine justice is flawed, therefore he must be tried at The Hague.
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Never attempt any do-it-yourself installation of solar panels in your home or shop. There’s a rush to go solar due to high electricity cost from oil-based generators. Online offers of cheap solar electrical systems are tempting. Haste makes waste: a house burned down in Bacolod due to poor solar setup.
Solar panels can catch fire due to faulty installation, defective products, improper system design, lightning strike, and sudden surge of voltage and power. D-I-Y is the usual culprit. More so since Filipinos have this bad habit of taking shortcuts, like non-compliance with city or municipal hall, electricity distributor or cooperative, and Energy Regulatory Commission rules.
Tips for preventing solar panel fires: (1) select quality components, (2) hire only trusted installers, (3) no DIYs, (4) routine system inspection.
Chairman Adelino V. Garcia Jr., Professional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering, calls on all electrical professionals to help inform and educate the public on going solar.
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Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).
