Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Tuesday challenged Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to voluntarily stop receiving his salary and allowances, citing accountability concerns as the Mindanaoan lawmaker remains absent from legislative duties.
Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, stressed that public officials should not be exempt from labor standards applied to ordinary workers.
His appeal comes amid reports from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla regarding an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant linked to the former administration’s drug war.
The Deputy Majority Leader pointed out a loophole in the Senate’s internal procedures, noting that there are no existing rules to immediately penalize or compel attendance of members.
“As stated before, even by Senate President (Vicente) Sotto, the Senate has yet to establish rules that can compel attendance. Any formal action will take time, as it must go through amendments and proper deliberation,” Ejercito explained.
Because disciplinary measures would require lengthy processes, Ejercito said the most immediate solution lies in Dela Rosa’s own sense of delicadeza.
“Umaapela tayo kay Sen. Bato Dela Rosa na kusang-loob na hindi muna tumanggap ng sweldo at allowances niya sa Senado,” Ejercito said.
He emphasized that the principle of “no work, no pay” should apply to lawmakers just as strictly as it does to ordinary employees.
“Gaya ng mga ordinaryong Pilipinong ‘no work no pay,’ lalo’t higit ganoon din dapat ang mga lingkod-bayan. Public service is a public trust, we are all accountable to the people we serve,” he added.
Dela Rosa has yet to issue a formal statement regarding his whereabouts or Ejercito’s proposal.
Meanwhile, Senate leadership continues to face pressure to address the implications of the ICC investigation on the chamber’s daily operations.