The Senate may formally impose a “no-work-no-pay” policy on members who incur unauthorized absences as lawmakers consider changes to the chamber’s rules, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Sunday.
Lacson said senators are inclined to amend the rules to ensure that withholding the salary and allowances of an absent member becomes an official action rather than a voluntary decision by the lawmaker.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa has voluntarily stopped receiving his salary and allowances during his prolonged absence from the Senate since November 2025.
“Pag unauthorized na ang absence, dapat hindi parang self-imposed lang o unilateral na di kukunin ang sweldo. Dapat official na merong sulat sa Land Bank, sa Treasury, na isu-suspend ang sweldo o ititigil,” Lacson said in an interview with DZBB radio.
Under a possible rule change, an unauthorized absence could trigger an official suspension or termination of salary payments through formal instructions to the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Bureau of the Treasury.
Dela Rosa has been absent from the Senate since November 2025, except for a few days in May.
He fled the Senate compound during a shooting incident on May 13.
The senator has remained in hiding following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court.
Lacson said the Senate’s immediate challenge is finding time to address the issue, as lawmakers are handling several major matters.
The chamber is currently scrutinizing and preparing to pass the proposed 2027 national budget while also handling the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lacson said the Senate Ethics Committee has yet to schedule a hearing on the matter because of the chamber’s workload.
“Hindi (kami) maka-schedule ng ethics hearing si Sen. Tito Sotto kasi sobrang abala kami these days,” he said.
The proposed rule would provide a formal mechanism for dealing with compensation when a senator is absent without authorization, rather than relying on the individual lawmaker to voluntarily decline payment.
Photo courtesy of PhilStar
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