A civil society group on Wednesday filed an ethics complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, citing his prolonged absence from official duties.
According to a report by RH Raymud Dadpaas, the group, “Wag Kang KuCorrupt,“ claims that Dela Rosa has been largely absent from Senate sessions since November 2025, neglecting his responsibilities as a lawmaker and chair of multiple committees.
In their complaint, the group emphasized that elected officials are duty-bound to actively participate in legislative work, including attending hearings and plenary sessions. They argued that the senator’s extended absence has affected the proper functioning of the committees he chairs and delayed the handling of pending legislation.
Members of the group, former Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Cielo Magno and Eric Cabahug, called for the senator’s salary to be suspended during his absence.
“Naging absent siya mula Nobyembre pa, hindi siya nagpapakita at hindi siya pumapasok. So ang pagtingin po natin dito ay napakalinaw na pagtalikod sa kanyang responsibilidad bilang senador. Napakadami pong trabaho ng isang senador. Napakarami nating isyung na kinakaharap, marami batas ang pending at siya po ay chair ng maraming komite. At ang mga komite na ito ay hindi nakakapag convene dahil siya ay hindi nagpapakita,” Magno said.
They argued that the principle of 'no work, no pay,' which applies to ordinary Filipino employees, should also apply to elected officials, meaning those who fail to perform their duties should not continue to receive compensation.
“Ang gusto po natin ipahayag dito ay ang mga ordinaryong manggagawa. Kapag hindi ka nagpakita sa trabaho, tanggal ka sa trabaho, di ba? Same standard, same ethical standard dapat ay nakikita natin sa mga nahalal natin, opisyal ng bayan, katulad ng isang senador,” she emphasized.
Cabahug added, “Hindi lang namin na imbestigahan gaya nito and sana magkaroon ng mga rules para sa mga ganito pangyayari. Kasi as Prof. Cielo mentioned, kung ordinaryong mamamayan nga, no work, no pay, dapat nga mas mataas pa yung standard natin sa mga officials kasi pondo ng bayan ang pinangsusuweldo sa kanila. So we should hold them to higher standards.”
Dela Rosa has not attended sessions in the Senate since reports surfaced about a supposed International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest against him connected to the drug war during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Senate Ethics Committee Chairman JV Ejercito said the complaint will be handled according to existing procedures, following a “first in, first out” approach.
Ejercito noted that five complaints filed earlier will take precedence, and Dela Rosa’s case will be addressed in turn.
“Of course, just like in any proseso first in, first out. Hindi naman pwedeng gusto nilang mauna ‘yung isa, yun na ang unang unahin. First in, first out. Kung ano ‘yung unang nai-file, then we will hear that first,” Ejercito said.
The committee is expected to discuss the complaint to determine whether there is sufficient basis for a formal investigation.
