MAY 1 — National Labor Day in the country – saw thousands of perspiring workers march under a scorching sun to demand wage hike to cope with rising cost of living.
But Senator Bato dela Rosa (who’s been missing in action for who knows how long) and a bunch of relatives working in his legislative office, have been getting hefty wages, again for not doing anything.
The overworked yet underpaid laborers in the country have long been denied “livable wages” that would enable them to survive, at the very least.
They usually get below mandated minimum wages, deprived of overtime pay and get laid off because of difficult economic conditions while their employers and their families live comfortably, ride in airconditioned cars, eat as many times as they could digest, go on fancy vacations and send kids to prestigious colleges and universities.
Bato dela Rosa is just one of them – enjoying the perks and comforts while hiding from the possibility of being jailed for high crimes committed during his incumbency as the Philippine National Police chief under the oppressive Duterte regime.
Though still considered a sitting senator, he has been absent from sessions and public appearances since November 11, 2025 or for nearly six months because he is escaping from possible arrest by the International Criminal Court to face jail time for crimes against humanity over the bloody war against drugs during his stint as the country’s top cop.
As of January 2026, he had been absent from Senate plenary sessions and committee work for over 60 days totaling 31 absences out of 58 session days from July 28, 2025, to March 18, 2026. His refusal to resign earned him the title of being the 20th Congress’ absentee king.
He has already been stripped of committee memberships in the Senate.
Raking cue from a statement uttered by Sen. Robin Padilla, Bato in an undisclosed location, which is only known to a few friends — including him.
As of April 28, 2026, it was reported that dela Rosa is “considering” forgoing his salary and allowances due to intense pressure regarding his absence.
Mabuti naman kung ganun. But what about your relatives who are still receiving hefty paychecks without proof of work?
Absentee Bato, who has been receiving full salary and allowances, even had the nerve to make a request – to use the Senate mansion in Baguio for vacation.
Ang sarap talaga ng buhay mo, Bato. Of course netizens lambasted him for this, but as to whether he was allowed that privilege, no one knows.
His basic monthly salary is approximately P293,191, totaling over P3.52 million annually, excluding additional allowances, committee funds, and maintenance expenses (MOOE).
The Senate leadership has noted that the current Senate rules do not have a “no work, no pay” policy for senators. Wow ang swerte naman ng mga senators, they can just vanish and still get paid for their disappearances.
Reports indicate that several of dela Rosa’s relatives hold positions in his Senate office. As of early 2026, his staff includes:
Marianne Kristel Dela Rosa Estoesta (daughter) – Chief of Staff (Salary Grade 30).
Mona Lisa C. Dela Rosa-Gino (daughter) – Director II (Salary Grade 26).
Ruvy Ann D. Garcia (sister) – Supervising Political Affairs Officer (Salary Grade 22).
Based on the Salary Standardization Law in 2026, a Salary Grade 30 position gets a monthly salary of over P180,000; SG 26 is over P120,000, and SG 22 is over P80,000. These are base salaries and do not include allowances and bonuses.
The Senate Ethics Committee has asked dela Rosa to comment on a proposal to amend Senate rules to impose a “no work, no pay” scheme on lawmakers. Why, siya na nga ang absent tatanungin nyo pa kung papayag siya o hindi?
Dela Rosa is currently facing an ethics complaint over his prolonged absence from Senate sessions, which came after reports that ICC had allegedly ordered his arrest in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, which he had led as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
Sen. JV Ejercito said the committee is awaiting response from dela Rosa – another foot dragging strategy by JV, noting that the proposed rule change on absenteeism is directly tied to the complaint against him. Absent na nga siya ibinbinbin niyo pa ang pag revise ng rules just to wait for his answer!
“There is a proposal to amend the rules of the Senate already – on absenteeism. So inaantay na, the committee already acted on it by asking Senator dela Rosa to comment regarding this proposal to amend the rules,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito earlier pointed out that the Senate currently has no specific rule penalizing absenteeism among its members. Any amendment would require approval by the full Senate.
“The Ethics Committee already asked Senator Dela Rosa to comment on the proposal to amend the rules kasi it concerns the complaint against him also. Covered na rin ‘yun. Covered na rin ‘yun,” he added.
He also revealed that dela Rosa has yet to respond to his suggestion that he voluntarily forgo his salary and allowances – worth over P230,000 monthly – while absent from sessions. He said doing so could remove the basis for the complaint.
Paano if Bato hands his comments by February 2028 yet or just in time for the elections?
“Sabi nga ordinaryang ano, ‘no work, no pay.’ So it has to apply to all. Kaya lang, ‘yun nga, I already mentioned earlier that the Ethics Committee already acted by requesting him to respond to the proposal to amend the rules,” Ejercito noted.
Revise the rules now, pronto!
Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said he would push for dela Rosa to explain his absence, suggesting the senator be asked to show cause why complaints against him should not prosper.
Meanwhile, the panel on Monday dismissed four of nine complaints filed against senators for being frivolous, including one against Ejercito.
Three other complaints were deferred for further study, pending additional documents from concerned agencies.
Ejercito declined to name the respondents in the dismissed complaints, but he admitted one was against him.
“Yes, it was chaired by Senator [Kiko] Pangilinan. I inhibited for a while. I stepped out of the room. It was Senator Pangilinan who chaired. And since there are already actions being taken by the committee, so it was voted by committee members to dismiss [the complaint],” Ejercito further said.
He added that complainants may refile cases that were dismissed.
The panel also deferred action on some complaints, pending the submission of documents from other agencies that will help the panel decide on the final disposition of the complaints.