Bato urged: Forgo salary, allowances

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito is appealing to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa to voluntarily forgo his salary and allowances and subject himself to the same “no work, no pay” policy that ordinary Filipinos face.

The Senate remains unable to sanction absentee lawmakers such as Dela Rosa, who has been hiding from a reported arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

“As stated by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, 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.

Dela Rosa has not reported for work since November 2025.

He is among the alleged “co-perpetrators” in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case over the drug war.