Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has suggested that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa consider voluntarily foregoing his salary while he remains absent from Senate work.
Sotto said the move could ease public criticism over dela Rosa’s continued receipt of pay despite his prolonged absence, stressing that it would have to be voluntary since the Senate has no rule allowing salary suspension for non-attendance.
“Siguro sa umpisa, baka pwedeng voluntary… para medyo bawasan yung pressure ng mga sinasabi ng mga tao na ‘di ka naman pumapasok, bakit sumesweldo ka,” Sotto said.
He added that there has been no response yet to his suggestion.
Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions following reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered his arrest in connection with the deadly anti-drug campaign during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Sotto also said he is open to discussing a proposed no-work, no-pay scheme for lawmakers, should a measure from the House of Representatives reach the Senate.
He cited Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos as among those pushing for such a bill.
“Pag umakyat sa amin yung bill na yun, pag-uusapan namin. Tignan ko ang sentiment ng majority ng mga members,” Sotto said, noting that he himself does not accept his salary, instead donating it to a scholarship program for poor students.
For now, dela Rosa continues to receive his salary, with Sotto pointing out that disbursements are automatically processed by the treasury at the end of each month.