Mayors' group tells Senate: Impose disciplinary action vs Bato for absenteeism, remiss of duties
By Chito Chavez
Senator Ronald “Bato’’Dela Rosa should face the music and must not enjoy protection from fellow senators, a group of mayors said as it called for the maintenance of dignity and integrity of the Senate.
In a statement, the Mayors for Good Governance also emphasized the need to strictly implement "no work, no pay" policy that is the normal standard for all workers.
“Hindi dapat pinoprotektahan ang isang halal na opisyal na umiiwas sa kanyang mga responsibilidad habang patuloy na tumatanggap ng sahod mula sa taumbayan (An elected official should never be protected who is avoiding his responsibilities while continuously receiving his salary from the people),’’ the statement, signed by 58 mayors, read.
During his absence, the group noted that Dela Rosa only appeared in the Senate on May 11 to vote during the change in leadership at the Upper Chamber.
It said Dela Rosa had received approximately P2.1 million in salary or around P300,000 monthly income during his seven month absence.
“Malaking insulto ito para sa milyon-milyong Pilipino na nagsisikap at nagtitiis para maitawid ang mga sarili at kanilang mga pamilya (This is a huge insult for the millions of Filipinos who are striving and sacrificing for the survival of themselves and their families),’’ it added.
Further, the group asserted that the lawmakers should be the role models in being law-abiding citizens, specifically to inculcate that the spirit of the law was created for public integrity, security and responsibility.
The manifesto signed by the mayors was updated at around 10 a.m. with signatures being added periodically.