MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo said he plans to file a measure that would impose a “no work, no pay” policy on high-ranking government officials who fail to report for work without a valid reason.

In an interview, Tulfo said the proposed legislation would cover the president, vice president, senators, members of the House of Representatives, other elected officials, cabinet secretaries, and heads of government agencies.

“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.

The senator said the proposal would also remove allowances from officials who are absent without approved leave.

According to Tulfo, some officials have become accustomed to receiving compensation despite not reporting for work.

“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?” he said.

“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.

Tulfo cited the case of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who was absent from Senate sessions for six months but continued to receive his salary.

He also commended Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for requesting the suspension of his salary after he was arrested last month and could no longer attend Senate hearings.

“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.