Manila: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges is set to convene in an executive session on March 4 to adopt its rules and begin the initial vetting of complaints, including the case filed against Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa. The complaint centers on his prolonged absence from Senate sessions.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator JV Ejercito, the committee chairperson, informed reporters via a Viber message that the meeting was initially scheduled for March 10. However, it was moved to an earlier date after Senate President Vicente Sotto III authorized the use of the Senate President's Conference Room. Ejercito explained that the meeting was expedited due to the unavailability of committee rooms. He later confirmed the new schedule, stating that Sotto had granted permission for the meeting to take place on March 4 at 10 a.m. to expedite proceedings.

The session will be closed to the public, with the agenda focusing on the adoption of rules and the initial vetting of cases. An anti-corruption group, led by former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, filed an ethics complaint against dela Rosa, citing his absence from Senate sessions since November 2025. The group, "Wag Kang KuCorrupt," argued in its complaint that dela Rosa's continued absence constitutes dereliction of duty and urged the committee to assess whether Senate rules and ethical standards were violated. Dela Rosa has not attended sessions since November 10, following reports of an alleged International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him. He is the sixth senator to face an ethics complaint before the chamber's Committee on Ethics and Privileges.