MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is reportedly considering giving up his salaries and allowances while he remains absent from the Senate, Senate Deputy Majority Leader and Ethics Committee chair Senator JV Ejercito said.

In a report, Ejercito made the statement after the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges convened to tackle pending complaints on a first-in, first-out basis.

“I think meron ng ano (there already is), they’re just waiting for the final decision. They’re already considering. So, ‘yun ang magandang balita (that’s the good news),” Ejercito said in an ambush interview.

When asked what option was being considered by Dela Rosa’s camp, Ejercito said, “Whether to waive the salaries and the allowances as I recommended.”

Last week, Ejercito had urged Dela Rosa to voluntarily forgo his salary and allowances while he remains absent from Senate sessions.

He also noted that the Senate currently has no “no work, no pay” policy, saying any such rule would require amendments before it can be enforced for absentee lawmakers.

Dela Rosa has not attended Senate sessions or made any public appearance since November 2025, following reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest over alleged links to the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Ejercito said he remains hopeful for developments regarding the senator’s situation.

“We don’t know how to get in touch with him. Kaya lang, meron namang parating na mukhang pinag-uusapan na nila ng kanyang kampo. Hopefully, magkaroon na ng positive development by next week,” he said.

Should Dela Rosa agree to waive his compensation, Ejercito said this may influence the handling of an ethics complaint filed against him.

The complaint was lodged in February 2026 by civil society group “Wag Kang KuCorrupt,” which urged the Senate ethics panel to investigate alleged violations of Senate rules and ethical standards and to impose sanctions if warranted.