Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, that the Senate is discussing possible options to address the prolonged absence of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, including a proposal that could involve suspending his salary, subject to Senate rules and procedures.
In an interview, Lacson said he and Senate President discussed the matter earlier in the day but declined to disclose details of their conversation.
Asked whether the situation would require a review of Senate rules, Lacson said the matter could fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Ethics Committee, which has already been constituted.
Lacson said action by the Ethics Committee could be triggered by the filing of a formal complaint, noting that he had heard that former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV may file one once dela Rosa reaches six months of absence.
When asked if the Ethics Committee can only act after a formal complaint is filed, Lacson said the committee may also issue recommendations, including proposals to amend Senate rules.
Asked whether such amendments could include provisions affecting a senator’s salary due to prolonged absence, Lacson acknowledged that suspending or stopping pay had been floated as one of the suggestions discussed.
“More or less yun yung isang suggestion na baka i-suspend o itigil yung sweldo (More or less that's the suggestion, to suspend his salary),”
However, Lacson told Sotto that any move to suspend a senator’s salary would require careful legal study, noting that senators are covered by civil service laws.
At the same time, Sotto told him that the Senate has its own internal rules and processes, and that recommendations from the Ethics Committee, once adopted by the plenary, could serve as the basis for action.
He said stopping or suspending a senator’s salary could be among the recommendations.
Lacson clarified he will not be part of any recommendation to sanction him if it comes to that in relation to his long absence.
"For one simple reason - I have no moral authority as I was in almost the same situation more than 15 years ago," he added.