Senate sets caucus on talks with China, Bato absence

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February 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is set to convene an all-senators’ caucus today to establish ground rules for potential dialogues with the Chinese embassy regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, while also addressing the prolonged absence of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the wide-ranging caucus, proposed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, will cover priority measures for the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council alongside urgent internal and foreign policy matters.

Following recent diplomatic friction with China, the Senate is seeking to find a unified stance on how to engage with Beijing’s representatives.

Lacson noted that the minority bloc is welcome to participate in the discussions.

“We will at least establish parameters on how to communicate with each other so we won’t offend anyone,” Lacson said in an interview after the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming on Saturday.

In an interview with dzBB, Lacson said he welcomed Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s scheduled meeting with Chinese embassy officials today to set the groundwork for the afternoon caucus.

Lacson lauded Tulfo’s initiative, which followed the Chinese diplomat’s expressed willingness to ease the recent “word war” between the embassy and Philippine lawmakers.

Despite the opening for dialogue, Lacson maintained a firm stance on the country’s territorial integrity, expressing his intent to revisit Pag-Asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group.

He emphasized that the island is a functioning barangay with 400 to 500 Filipino residents, including students and registered voters.

“We have established occupation. People there have voted, there are students there,” Lacson said.

“I think it’s incumbent upon us, especially the Armed Forces, to protect and defend Pag-Asa from either intrusion, or in a worse scenario, invasion,” he added.

Meanwhile, following the visit of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Kalayaan Mayor Beltsazar Alindongan is calling on more Philippine officials to go to the Kalayaan Island Group and see the local situation firsthand.

On Saturday, Hontiveros, together with Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for West Philippine Sea issues, Commodore Jay Tarriela, visited the Municipality of Kalayaan to deliver medical and other essential goods to the residents of the island.

Aside from the persistent radio challenges from Chinese warships, the mayor raised concerns about the municipality’s lack of access to social service facilities like schools and healthcare clinics.

Meanwhile, Lacson said Senate rules should be revisited to incorporate the situation of Dela Rosa, who has not attended sessions since late last year. — Andrew Ronquillo