Four senators have stopped receiving their salaries in the Philippines while remaining absent from plenary sessions and the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. Gatchalian stated on Thursday, August 27, that Senator Loren Legarda voluntarily stopped receiving her salary after beginning a medical leave on August 3.
Legarda’s absence makes her the fourth senator to forgo pay. She joins two detained senators and another lawmaker who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant and remains at large. Gatchalian told reporters that Legarda decided not to receive her salary upon filing her medical leave. The Senate leadership instructed the accounting and payroll departments to suspend the release of her funds.
Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada are currently detained over separate plunder cases. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains out of public view following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC over his alleged role in the bloody drug war during the Duterte administration. Estrada asked the Senate in June to suspend his salary while detained. Despite their detention, the Senate previously allowed Marcoleta and Estrada to head committees, with employee salaries charged to committee budgets. Marcoleta chairs the committee on tourism, while Estrada heads the committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation following a Senate leadership shakeup.
Legarda’s Medical Leave and Overseas Travel Timeline
Legarda has been absent from her duties as a lawmaker and senator-judge, initially filing for medical leave from August 3 to 7. She extended her leave for August 11 to 12, August 17 to 19, and August 24 to 26, with an additional leave scheduled from September 1 to 2. On August 2, Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, left the Philippines. Their departure occurred days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced plunder and graft complaints against them over solar energy projects.
Gatchalian stated he was unaware when Legarda would return to the Senate, though he hinted she faces a serious medical issue. According to Gatchalian, illnesses of this nature require serious attention. Unspent salaries from absent senators may eventually be declared as Senate savings and appropriated for other expenses.
Did You Know? Senator Loren Legarda left the Philippines on August 2 with her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, just days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced plunder and graft complaints against them regarding solar energy projects.
Expert Insight: Senator Loren Legarda voluntarily stopped receiving her salary after she went on medical leave on August 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Senator Loren Legarda stop receiving her salary?
According to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Legarda voluntarily decided not to receive her salary when she filed for medical leave on August 3, prompting the Senate to instruct its accounting and payroll departments to suspend the release of her funds.
Who are the other senators currently not receiving a salary?
Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, who are detained over plunder cases, and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who remains at large following an ICC arrest warrant, join Legarda as senators currently absent and not receiving pay.
What happens to the unspent salaries of the absent senators?
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated that the unspent salaries may eventually be declared as Senate savings and appropriated for other expenses.
How will these ongoing Senate absences and leadership vacancies impact the timeline of the impeachment trial?
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