Published May 18, 2026 5:03pm + Add GMA on Google Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. Senator Robin Padilla on Monday confirmed that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is still in the Philippines, but he has no idea about his exact whereabouts. “Wala akong idea kung nasaan si Bato,” he told reporters. (I have no idea where Bato is.) When asked if his embattled colleague is still in the country, he added: “Ikukumpirma ko ‘yun nasa Pilipinas siya. Hindi aalis yun.” (I will confirm that he is in the Philippines. He won't leave.) Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, returned to the Senate a week ago after being absent since November last year. His supposed return to work was marred with tension and drama due to lockdowns and a shooting incident in the Senate premises. After being placed under the Senate’s protective custody, the former Philippine National Police chief-turned-politician was reported last May 14 to no longer be in the Senate. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier considered Padilla as a “person of interest” in the whereabouts of Dela Rosa. In response to the NBI’s tag, Padilla said: “Siyempre ganun talaga. Wala tayong magagawa. Kung ayun ang sinabi ng awtoridad, eh okay naman po ‘yun.” (Of course, that's just how it is. There is nothing we can do. If that's what the authorities said, then that's okay.) Padilla refused to answer other questions related to Dela Rosa’s escape. “Siguro, antayin na lang natin yung official na imbestigasyon,” he told reporters. (Perhaps we should just wait for the official investigation.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/GMA News