MANILA, Philippines — The ethics complaint against Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa for his continued absence in the Senate may be dismissed if he gives up his salary and allowances, Sen. JV Ejercito said on Wednesday.
A civil society group led by former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno filed a complaint against Dela Rosa for his failure to perform his duties since November 2025.
Ejercito, Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges chairman, on Tuesday appealed to Dela Rosa to give up his salary and allowances, citing the "no work, no pay" rule imposed on Filipino workers.
But the senator said the decision to dismiss the complaint against Dela Rosa still depends on the panel members.
The panel is composed of Sen. Francis Pangilinan (vice chairman) and members Senators Erwin Tulfo, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta and Imee Marcos, and Risa Hontiveros.
"I'm just a facilitator. It would be the [committee] members who must decide [on the matter] because that is the basis of the complaint," Ejercito said in a chance interview.
"It might be a basis for the dismissal [of the ethics case against him] because if he will not accept his salary and allowances there is no more basis for the complaint," he added.
Dela Rosa has shunned the public and ceased going to the Senate since November 2025 after the reported issuance of a warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court against him.
Dela Rosa had been identified as co-conspirator of former president Rodrigo Duterte, now detained at The Hague, Netherlands to face crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs.
