Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa criticized what he described as the noticeable silence of “Pinklawans” and “Communists” regarding the exposé of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co on alleged anomalous flood control projects and questionable budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.
In a social media post, dela Rosa took aim at these groups, accusing them of refusing to believe Co’s statements.
“Tahimik ang Pinklawans & Komunista sa expose ni Zaldy Co. Strategize muna sila how to appear righteous & anti-corruption kuno at the same time prevent the downfall of this gov’t from w/c they benefited a lot,” said the former Philippine National Police chief under President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa was referring to supporters of former Vice President Leni Robredo — long recognized as the figurehead of the traditional opposition — and the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or Makabayan bloc, which Duterte allies have repeatedly linked to communist groups.
The senator has been absent from Senate sessions during the chamber’s three-day resumption, days after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed receiving what he described as a “warrant of arrest” from the ICC connected to dela Rosa’s alleged role in the bloody drug war of the Duterte administration.