There is now a call to include top government officials under the so-called "no work, no pay" scheme.

Senator Erwin Tulfo found it embarrassing that top government officials are off the hook and still get paid despite being absent for weeks or months.

"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.

Tulfo said that he will push for legislation that would enforce a “no work, no pay” scheme for high-ranking officials when they skip work with no clear reason.

He said that the proposal will also include stripping allowances from officials who are absent without proper leave.

According to him, "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?"

"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 neophyte senator remarked.

It can be recalled that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was absent from the Senate for six months but continued to receive his salary.

That is why when Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested last month, he himself requested that his salary be cut.

"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 added.