Palace: Bato Dela Rosa arrest rumor a diversion from COA findings

Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed as a "diversionary tactic" the circulation of unverified reports claiming that Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa had been arrested, saying they were intended to divert public attention from irregularities flagged in Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds. On Tuesday afternoon, unconfirmed reports circulated saying that Dela Rosa had been arrested. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said these reports were "not true and were deliberately circulated" to steer public attention away from the "irregularities" in the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) that were flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA). "This is a diversionary tactic," Roque said in a press briefing. The COA had flagged the OVP's confidential fund for 2022, stating that it lacked sufficient documentation to justify its necessity and legality. Senator Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, has been a prominent figure in Philippine politics, particularly in relation to the Duterte administration's war on drugs. The presidential palace urged vigilance against the spread of disinformation, warning that it could undermine public trust and national stability. Meanwhile, calls for transparency and accountability regarding the COA's findings continue to grow.