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

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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.