Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito suggested on Wednesday that the ethics complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa might lose its ground if the embattled lawmaker voluntarily waives his salary and allowances.
The proposal comes amid scrutiny over Dela Rosa’s five-month absence from the upper chamber, a move reportedly linked to a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Siguro kung voluntarily na ina-appeal ko na i-waive niya na ‘yung pagtanggap ng sahod, mga allowances … ‘yung issue mismo kahit papaano ma-address na,” Ejercito told reporters during an ambush interview.
Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, noted that since the core of the complaint involves the collection of public funds despite non-attendance, surrendering that compensation could lead to the case’s dismissal.
“And it might even be a basis, kasi ‘yun ang basehan para sa complaint sa ethics… Kasi nga kung talagang hindi niya na tatanggapin ‘yung sweldo niya, sahod niya, allowances, so wala nang basehan ‘yung complaint,” he explained.
A Matter of Fairness
The ethics chair clarified that while he is suggesting this path, the final decision rests with the entire committee. He emphasized that his appeal is rooted in the principle of “fairness” across the government workforce.
Records show Dela Rosa missed 31 out of 58 session days during the first regular session of the 20th Congress.
“Akala nila ako lang ang nagdedesisyon dito. Ang miyembro ‘yung magdedecide. So dahil ‘yun ang basis ng complaint, it might be a basis for dismissal,” Ejercito added.
Gaps in Senate Rules
Dela Rosa’s attendance plummeted after November 11 last year, following statements from the executive branch regarding a possible ICC warrant.
The senator has been named as a key figure in the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
Ejercito admitted that the current 121-page Senate rules are ill-equipped to handle this specific scenario, as previous framers likely did not anticipate such a long-term absence due to international legal pressures.
“Kaya lang siguro ‘yung mga sumulat ng Senate rules noon, hindi naman na-foresee na mangyayari ang ganito. So, kaya kinakailangan amyendahan talaga ‘yung rules mismo,” he said, though he cautioned that amendments would take time and should not be rushed by external pressure.
The Senate ethics panel is scheduled to begin formal deliberations on the complaints on April 28, having already secured the six signatures necessary to approve its internal rules.