‘Ethics complaint vs Bato moot if he waives salary’

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April 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  An ethics complaint filed against absentee Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could effectively lose its legal footing if he voluntarily waives his salary and allowances, Senate ethics chairman Sen. JV Ejercito said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, Ejercito said a voluntary waiver might serve as justification for the panel to dismiss the complaint outright.

“Because that’s the basis for the complaint, it might be basis for the dismissal,” Ejercito explained.

“So if he really passes on his salary, allowances, there’s no basis for the complaint,” he added.

Ejercito said it could pacify public outrage and bypass the chamber’s sluggish disciplinary mechanisms.

“For the issue to be finished, for the peace of mind (of) his camp, everyone, my own appeal is to make it easier for everyone,” he said.

The panel chair acknowledged the lack of explicit rules that automatically compel a senator’s attendance or dock their pay for absences.

“We all want to act on it but if we follow the process it really takes time. One, his case is fifth in line. Then it is also not in the Senate rules,” Ejercito admitted, adding that the chamber would still need to wait for plenary sessions to resume just to debate rule amendments.

However, despite floating the potential dismissal loophole, Ejercito clarified that the final verdict does not rest solely on him as chairman, as the panel needs to debate whether giving up the salary excuses the actual act of absenteeism.