‘No work, no pay’ policy for top officials pushed

MANILA, Philippines — Government officials who continue receiving their salaries despite being absent from work may want to rethink their priorities.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, in a press statement yesterday, said he would push for legislation that would enforce “no work, no pay” for key government officials when they don’t go to work without a clear reason.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said his proposed bill would include the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, other elected officials, Cabinet secretaries and department heads.

“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,” he said.

Tulfo said his proposal would also include taking away allowances from officials who are absent without proper leave, saying absences of
high-ranking officials have “become a habit.”

“It should be equal – whether you are an ordinary employee or a high-ranking official, it should be ‘no work, no pay’ for everyone,” he said.

Late last year, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa was rumored to have been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, and subsequently was absent from the Senate for six months but continued to receive his salary.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, was arrested last month over plunder and graft charges, but had requested that his salary be cut.

“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 said.