MANILA — Senate Committee on Ethics chairman Sen. JV Ejercito said Wednesday that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s voluntary decision to forgo his salary and allowances amid his prolonged absence from the chamber may serve as a basis for dismissing an ethics complaint filed against him.

In a report, Ejercito, however, clarified that the matter will still be decided collectively by committee members, with him acting only as facilitator.

“Dahil ‘yun ang basis ng complaint, it might be basis for the dismissal kasi nga kung talagang hindi na niya tatanggapin ang sweldo niya, sahod niya, allowances, so wala nang basehan ang complaint. Pero pag-uusapan pa ng committee members ‘yan,” he said in an ambush interview.

Dela Rosa has been absent from Senate sessions since November 2025 and has not made any public appearances, amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against him over alleged links to the drug war.

A civil society group, “Wag Kang KuCorrupt,” filed an ethics complaint in February 2026, asking the Senate to investigate his continued absence and determine possible violations of Senate rules and ethical standards.

Ejercito earlier appealed for Dela Rosa to voluntarily waive his salary and allowances while he remains away from the Senate, noting that there is no existing “no work, no pay” rule for senators that would automatically apply.

He said such a move would help clarify the issue surrounding the complaint.

“Just to be fair to everyone. Siguro, voluntarily ang apela ko, kung i-waive ‘yung pagtanggap ng sahod at mga allowances para ‘yung issue mismo eh kahit papaano ma-address na,” he added.

The ethics committee is scheduled to meet again on April 28 to assess pending complaints for compliance with form and substance.