EDITORIAL — Payment for services not rendered

As of this writing, Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa has incurred the most number of absences among senators since November of last year, logging 31 absences out of 58 session days.

Except for asking that his family use the Senate Mansion in Baguio City last March and sending his message of support for the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability launching in Davao just recently, we have seen neither hide nor hair of him.

And all the while he is getting paid from our hard-earned taxes. We can almost hear those who are required to report to work or else they don’t get any pay saying: Sana all!

And all this because Senator De la Rosa is afraid of a red notice from the International Police that we have seen neither hide nor hair of either.

Senator De la Rosa leads the senators with most absences at 31, he is followed by Senator Camille Villar, who was absent 16 times but was on maternity leave from October 2025 to January 2026. Senate Minority Leader Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is next with 14 session absences.

All remaining senators were present in at least 50 of the 58 session days.

Senator De la Rosa should take the cue from fellow opposition Senators Robin Padilla and Bong Go who are making the effort to not have any absences. While we question many of Senator Padilla’s policies, we must laud the fact that he made the effort to attend all Senate sessions.

The money that went to Senator De la Rosa’s salary since he has been a no-show is a waste. The Filipino taxpayers are paying for services not rendered.

It could have been used to help many Filipinos who are reporting to their jobs at a loss in this economy, like the drivers of Public Utility Jeepneys who are barely taking home any earnings.

We believe some action should be taken by the Senate leadership to compel Senator De la Rosa to resume his duties as a senator of the republic, handsomely paid for with the taxes of hardworking citizens, or else to deter senators from incurring so many absences seemingly without any serious consequences.