Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified that the “no work, no pay” policy does not apply to legislators after public criticism of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa for receiving his salary despite nearly a month-long absence.
Dela Rosa has been absent following the ICC’s arrest warrant against him, leaving Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to handle defense budget hearings in his place.
Sotto urged the public to file an ethics complaint if they object, noting that Congress has no rules mandating salary forfeiture for absent members.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who previously went into hiding in 2010, said Dela Rosa’s absence is his personal decision and compared it to his own past situation.
Dela Rosa has yet to formally explain his absence or respond to inquiries about his whereabouts.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 3, 2025
