'No work, no pay' rule for top officials sought

DUTERTE ICC TRIAL CORRUPTION SCANDAL FUEL PRICE TRACKER INFLUENCE OPERATIONS EXPLAINERS FACT CHECKS CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT VIDEOS NEWS COMMENTARIES Headlines 'No work, no pay' rule for top officials sought Philstar.comJune 21, 2026 | 11:44am This Facebook post from Oct. 9, 2024 shows Sen.

Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa during a Senate hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operators.Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa office MANILA, Philippines — A "no work, no pay" rule for high-ranking government officials who are absent without clear reason or proper leave would soon be formally proposed, as Sen.

Bato Dela Rosa continues his absence from the Senate. Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the proposed measure would cover the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, other elected officials, Cabinet secretaries and department heads.

"It’s embarrassing that our staff or ordinary government employees don't get paid when they are absent without prior notice, but we officials still get paid even if we are absent for weeks or months?" Tulfo said. The senator said his proposal would also strip allowances from officials who are absent without proper leave.

"It has become a habit, and no one calls it out even if someone is absent but still receiving a salary. Because they are high-ranking officials, who would dare call us out, right?" Tulfo said.

He added: "It should be equal, whether you are an ordinary employee or a high-ranking official, it should be no work, no pay for everyone." The bill has not yet been assigned a number and is yet to be filed. In January last year, Rep.

Sandro Marcos (Ilocos) filed House Bill 7432 similarly seeking to institutionalize a "no work, no pay" compensation scheme for lawmakers. Bato's absence Tulfo’s office cited Dela Rosa’s six-month absence from the Senate, saying the senator continued to receive his salary during that period. Dela Rosa has kept his whereabouts undisclosed while facing an ICC arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the Duterte administration’s drug war.

He briefly surfaced at the Senate in May, but again went out of public view after authorities attempted to serve the warrant. Dela Rosa has denied wrongdoing and has also claimed he did not personally take his Senate salary during his absence. The issue has also been contrasted with the case of Sen.

Jinggoy Estrada, who Tulfo said asked that his salary be cut after he was arrested on graft charges last month. "I salute Senator Jinggoy because even though he hasn't been convicted yet, since he can no longer attend Senate hearings, he took the initiative and said he should no longer be paid. That is the right thing to do," Tulfo said.

Tulfo said the same rule should apply to all officials regardless of rank, arguing that public office should not exempt elected and appointed officials from accountability rules imposed on ordinary government workers. Related StoriesJinggoy Estrada opts to surrender, waiving Senate custody, salary‘No work, no pay’ for Bato may be junkedSandro Marcos pushes 'no work, no pay' rule for lawmakers BATO DELA ROSA ERWIN TULFO JINGGOY ESTRADA BrandSpace Articles foodpanda welcomes back Andok’s, gives 50% off promo on Litson Manok this Father’s Day Over 400 women join AWR Asia Lotus Wellness Retreat & Switchplay Yoga Trusted by Watsons Club Members, loved by you: Inside Watsons’ Most Loved 2026 picks Filipino food companies proudly showcase what’s good, healthy and sustainable at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 9 Father’s Day gifts for every kind of Dad Unpacking plastic's journey: A Q&A with PCX markets on building a circular future in the Philippines Watsons strengthens community healthcare through respiratory care education Asian Hospital illuminates excellence in healthcare, beauty and wellness at Lumina 2026 Father’s Day hotel stays, dining treats and travel deals to check out Over 21,000 Filipinos access job hiring and upskilling opportunities at Araw ng Kalayaan Job Fairs < > LatestTrending Trending Latest Trending abtestabtest Philippines named best country for retirement By Andrew Ronquillo | 12 hours ago The Philippines has been ranked as the best country to retire in due to its compelling overall retirement packages, according... Headlines Philippines, US ships hold 6-day exercise in West Philippine Sea By Michael Punongbayan | 12 hours ago For six straight days, Philippine and US coast guard and naval forces sailed the West Philipine Sea in a joint exercise that...

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