MANILA, Philippines — Senators who are detained, at large or on leave have declined to receive their salaries since missing their on-site duties, according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
“Those who are detained and at large voluntarily declined,” Gatchalian said in a chance interview at the Senate yesterday.
One of them is Sen. Loren Legarda, who has missed attending Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial this month since the ombudsman announced a preliminary investigation over her and her son’s alleged involvement in ghost solar farm projects.
Gatchalian said Legarda, who is overseas, has extended her medical leave and declined receiving her salary.
“It’s a very personal issue. I’m aware of her ailment. Even prior to this, we were personal friends as well and she said she has a serious medical issue,” said Gatchalian.
“After she filed her medical leave she already declined her salary. We’ve instructed the accounting department and payroll department to suspend her salary,” he added.
There is no word when Legarda would return from her medical leave.
“I have no idea but she has to take her health seriously,” Gatchalian said.
Senators’ salaries which are not received by the principal can be converted as savings, Gatchalian said.
“The Senate can declare it as savings and use it for something else,” Gatchalian said.
Other senators currently absent at the Senate are Ronald dela Rosa, who is at large, and Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, who are detained.
Dela Rosa has been in hiding since the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered his arrest for the crimes against humanity case he faces with former president Rodrigo Duterte as a result of their bloody drug war.
Estrada is serving his 90-day suspension pending the litigation of his plunder case for allegedly receiving P573 million in kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.
Marcoleta is also detained for plunder over an allegedly undeclared P75 million campaign funds for his 2025 senatorial bid.
Gatchalian said he is monitoring the situation of Estrada, who was taken to a hospital in San Juan on Wednesday after suffering a meniscus tear on his left knee.