SENATE President Win Gatchalian confirmed on Thursday that senators currently detained as well as the one in hiding are voluntarily choosing not to receive their salaries. Gatchalian made the clarification when asked about the status of compensation for senators who are unable to perform their duties due to being under the jurisdiction of the courts. He noted that these officials have opted to forgo their pay of their own accord, reflecting a recognition that their continued absence from the Senate warrants the waiver.
Gatchalian emphasized that the Senate has no authority to compel the release of detained senators so they can attend sessions or perform official duties. “That is up to the court,” he stated, explaining that once any individual — including a senator — falls under a court’s jurisdiction, it is solely the court that may decide whether they can be released, allowed to seek medical attention, or permitted to work. This means the Senate cannot intervene to secure their presence at the ongoing impeachment trial or other chamber proceedings.
The salaries being voluntarily waived may eventually be reclassified as unspent funds and treated as savings by the Senate, which can then be reallocated to other priorities. Gatchalian also disclosed that Senator Loren Legarda, who remains on extended medical leave, is likewise not receiving her salary. The Senate’s accounting and payroll departments have been instructed to suspend the release of her pay following the filing of her leave, bringing her compensation status in line with the practice being applied to the detained and absent lawmakers.
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