Senate leaders are considering stopping the salary of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa amid mounting questions over his prolonged absence, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed Tuesday.
Lacson said the idea was discussed with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in anticipation of an ethics complaint from former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
He stressed, however, that any action would depend on the formal filing of the case and the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics.
“Bantay ng ethics committee recommendation. Once ma-adapt sa plenary, pwedeng isasara mga recommendations at pwedeng implement ng plenary na itigil ang sweldo,” Lacson told reporters.
He acknowledged possible legal hurdles in withholding pay.
“Baka hindi uubra yung hindi mo pasweldohin yung senador kung walang basis. Pero tama rin si SP, we have our own rules,” he said, noting that amendments to Senate rules could be proposed depending on the committee’s findings.
Dela Rosa has not been seen in public since November 11, 2025, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla claimed the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued a warrant for his arrest.
Lacson said Trillanes is expected to file the ethics complaint in March, marking six months since Dela Rosa last attended Senate sessions.
“Meron kaming proposed resolution or solution how to handle Senator Bato sa sitwasyon. Pero ano na eh, na-constitute na yung ethics natin eh. So mata-tackle na yan,” he added.
The Senate leadership has been coordinating with Trillanes, who recently met with Sotto to discuss the matter. Lacson warned of grave consequences if the issue is left unresolved.
“Worse is makulong siya sa The Hague. Nothing could be worse than that siguro — for a sitting (senator),” he said.
Dela Rosa faces charges of crimes against humanity alongside former president Rodrigo Duterte over their alleged roles in the war on drugs.
Duterte has been detained at the ICC facility in The Hague since March 2025 under a tribunal-issued warrant.