Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III advised Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to stop accepting his salary as a way to address public complaints over his continued absence from Senate sessions.

Sotto said that if he were in De La Rosa’s position, he would no longer receive his pay, noting that ordinary workers who fail to report for work are not compensated. He pointed out the growing public dissatisfaction over the issue.

The Senate President also acknowledged that there are currently no clear Senate rules governing prolonged absences of senators, particularly on the continued operations of their offices. He noted that in past Congresses, some senators and congressmen were absent yet continued to receive salaries without being questioned.

Sotto further questioned how De La Rosa was able to sign the Minority Report submitted in December despite his absence. Senator De La Rosa has not reported to the Senate since November 11, following Ombudsman Boying Remulla’s statement that the International Criminal Court had issued a warrant of arrest against him, although his Senate office reportedly remains operational.