Manila: Senators Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday expressed concern over the turmoil that followed the Senate leadership change and tensions surrounding Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa inside the Senate complex. Lacson described Monday's transition that installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president as lacking the courtesy and decorum traditionally observed during leadership changes in the chamber.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson remarked that the transition was an unpleasant sight, regardless of political persuasion. He emphasized that Senate transitions traditionally involved senators formally informing the sitting Senate president before the session to ensure a smooth turnover, with outgoing and incoming Senate presidents even voting for each other.

Lacson explained that the new majority's decision to not immediately approach then Senate president Vicente Sotto III was due to concerns involving Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). In a separate statement, Hontiveros commented on the Senate's negative publicity, stating that scenes involving Dela Rosa and law enforcement personnel were spreading online for the wrong reasons.

Hontiveros urged the new Senate leadership to restore respect, proper process, and accountability in the institution. Meanwhile, Lacson questioned the Senate's decision to immediately cite in contempt National Bureau of Investigation agents who allegedly pursued Dela Rosa inside the Senate complex, calling the move 'procedurally wrong.' He noted that Dela Rosa is now 'effectively contained' within Senate premises due to the ICC warrant issue, as leaving would expose him to arrest under the unsealed warrant of the International Criminal Court.