Does the no-work-no-pay rule apply to senators? Sen. Gatchalian answers
Since it has been almost a month since Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa attended a Senate session, some may now be wondering: Does the no-work-no-pay rule apply to senators?
Soon after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in early November that the International Criminal Court had allegedly issued an arrest warrant against dela Rosa, the senator seems to have made himself scarce. Following a month-long break, the Senate resumed its plenary session on Nov. 11, but dela Rosa was not in attendance—and he hasn't been seen in the Senate halls since.
Due to his prolonged absence, concerns about his wages have been raised; specifically, if the absent senator continues to be paid a salary despite not reporting for work.
On Monday, Dec. 1, Sen. Win Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate finance committee, addressed the query on whether senators are included in the no-work-no-pay scheme. In an interview with Bombo Radyo, he said, “Sa pagkaalam ko, walang ganyan na set-up sa mga senators."
However, this does not mean senators can just be absent whenever they would like.
He emphasized that there is a "proper procedure" to follow, which requires an absent senator to send a formal letter of explanation to the committee whose session they will be missing, as well as to the senate president.
Dela Rosa did not submit such a letter, according to Gatchalian.
The senator was again absent on Nov. 27, when he was scheduled to defend the 2026 budget of the Department of National Defense.
"In the case of 'yung nangyari last time kay Senator Bato, I was just informed by the staff na hindi nga siya makaka-attend," said Gatchalian, who took over dela Rosa's task of defending the DND budget.
Shortly after, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III called out dela Rosa. In an ambush interview with the media, Sotto confirmed that dela Rosa had not attended a Senate session since its resumption on Nov. 11; neither did dela Rosa inform Sotto of his absence.
The issue of senators' exemption from the no-work-no-pay scheme can be up for discussion, according to Gatchalian.
"Siguro maganda mapag-usapan ito in a caucus kung ano ba 'yung mga contingency [measures]," he said.
For possible future absences from the Senate's sessions,
