By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, and 55 other local chief executives slammed Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over allegations that he continued receiving Senate salary despite being absent for seven months before reappearing during the dramatic leadership shakeup that installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President last week.
In a strongly worded statement released Monday, the coalition “Mayors for Good Governance” (M4GG) said dela Rosa allegedly collected around P2.1 million in taxpayer-funded salary during his prolonged absence from Senate sessions.
The group questioned why ordinary workers are immediately penalized under the “no work, no pay” policy, while powerful government officials appear to be treated differently.
“Kung ordinaryong empleyado ito, siguradong suspendido o tanggal agad sa trabaho. Bakit tila may ibang batas kapag makapangyarihang opisyal ang sangkot?” the mayors said.
The mayors described the incident as a betrayal of public trust, especially at a time when many Filipinos are struggling with inflation, rising costs of basic goods, and economic hardship.
The coalition said the controversy is not just about attendance records but about accountability and respect for taxpayers who fund government salaries.
“Malaking insulto ito sa milyun-milyong Pilipinong araw-araw nagtatrabaho para maitawid ang kanilang pamilya,” the statement read.
They stressed that elected officials must set the example in obeying laws and ethical standards, adding that public office should never become a shield for absenteeism or neglect of duty.
The statement, signed by 58 mayors nationwide as of 10 a.m. Monday, included signatures from Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, among others from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The group urged the Senate to uphold integrity within its ranks and ensure that accountability applies equally to all public officials regardless of position or influence.
ia/xf
