Senator Erwin Tulfo eyes ‘no work, no pay’ policy for top government officials

Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for a measure that would impose a “no work, no pay” policy on high-ranking government officials who fail to report for duty without a valid reason.

In an interview, Tulfo said the proposed legislation would cover the president, vice president, senators, members of the House of Representatives, 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?" Sen. Tulfo said.

Under the proposal, officials who are absent without approved leave would also lose their allowances.

Tulfo said the practice of officials continuing to receive compensation despite prolonged absences has become commonplace.

"It has become a habit, and no one calls it out even if someone is absent but still receiving a salary. Because they are high-ranking officials, who would dare call us out, right?" he said.

The senator stressed that the policy should apply equally to everyone in government.

"It should be equal—whether you are an ordinary employee or a high-ranking official, it should be no work, no pay for everyone," the neophyte senator remarked.

Tulfo cited the case of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who was absent from Senate sessions for six months while continuing to receive his salary.

He also commended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for voluntarily asking that his pay be suspended after his arrest last month.

"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 added.

-Paraluman News