The camp of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is currently evaluating a formal recommendation to halt the receipt of his official salary and allowances while he remains absent from legislative duties.
The suggestion originated from Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Ejercito noted that Dela Rosa’s representatives have indicated they are “seriously studying” the proposal to voluntarily forgo compensation.
“We don’t know how to get in touch with him. Kaya lang, meron namang parating na mukhang pinag-uusapan na nila ng kanyang kampo. Hopefully, magkaroon na ng positive development by next week,” Ejercito stated in a recent interview.
Senator Dela Rosa has not reported to the Senate since November 2025, a disappearance that coincided with reports of an impending warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to Ejercito, a voluntary waiver is the most practical path forward, as modifying internal Senate rules to address the situation would be a slow and “tedious” administrative process.
He further noted that Senate President Vicente Sotto III is in agreement with this approach.
“Kasi kung susundin mo talaga yung rules, medyo matagal tagal, tedious yung process. So, para na maano na rin, mawala yung pressure sa Senate, mawala yung pressure halimbawa kay Sen. dela Rosa, eh siguro, ano yung request natin, ito voluntary, forgo yung kanyang or waive niya yung salaries and allowances,” Ejercito explained.
Should Dela Rosa agree to the waiver, it could lead to the dismissal of the ethics complaint currently filed against him, as the primary grievance involves his continued collection of government funds despite his non-attendance.
The Senate Ethics panel recently reconvened to evaluate various complaints filed against the senator.
Ejercito clarified that more than half of these submissions failed to meet the necessary requirements for form and substance and will consequently be returned to the complainants.