SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has denied allegations that the Senate is delaying the approval of the measure to revive the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

“Kung ayaw ko talaga iyon, eh ‘di sana inupuan ko na lang ‘yung bill na iyon,” Escudero said in response to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s statement that the Senate leadership is not acting on the bill.

“Tatlong senador pa mag-i-interpellate sa kanya. ‘Yung tatlong senador na iyan tuwing tinatanong namin kung handa na ba o hindi, eh hindi pa daw handa,” Escudero explained.

The Senate leader also mentioned that the Department of National Defense expressed opposition to the bill’s provision mandating them to automatically accept ROTC students into the reserve force.

Earlier, Dela Rosa expressed frustration, noting that the three senators listed as interpellators often postpone their debates.

“Kung ikaw ang sponsor ng measure na iyan, talagang sasama ang loob mo. Palista nang palista, ayaw namang mag-interpellate,” Dela Rosa exclaimed.

“Dapat botohan na, let’s divide the house,” he stressed.