SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said Friday he is open to a voluntary “no work, no pay” scheme for legislators, noting the proposal requires careful study and a consensus among members.
Sotto’s remarks follow public criticism over perceived inaction in Congress.
“Maybe at first it could be voluntary,” Sotto said during a Zoom meeting with reporters. “When a bill is raised, I look at the sentiment of the majority. I am attending, but I am not receiving my salary. I am donating it to the scholarship program.”
Sotto acknowledged that no current rule mandates such a policy for lawmakers but said the matter remains open for discussion within the chamber.
Asked about Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s stance on the issue, Sotto said he has not heard from his colleague. He noted that senators’ salaries are currently released automatically through a computerized national treasury system.
"It will be automatic in the treasury. It will be computerized,” he said.
Dela Rosa has been absent from the Senate since Nov. 11, 2025, following reports that the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the drug war during the Duterte administration. While his office continues to function, the former police chief has missed critical legislative duties, including the sponsorship of the 2026 national budget for security agencies and various bicameral conference committee meetings.
Despite not attending sessions and committee hearings, records show dela Rosa has continued to perform legislative work, filing four proposed measures as of Jan. 13, 2026.