Amid Bato’s Absence, How Much is a Senator’s Salary?

How much is a senator’s salary in the Philippines? The Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989 assigns senators and congressmen a salary grade of 31. This means that they earn P293,191 to P334,059 per month.

The Senate president and House speaker are assigned a salary grade of 32, which puts their range at P347,888 to P398,686 monthly.

On Tuesday, January 27, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson says Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s salary may be withheld from him due to his prolonged absence from the Senate.

Since November 2025, dela Rosa stopped appearing at Senate sessions following news from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against the former police chief in relation to the drug war case.

In December 2025, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a Teleradyo interview, “Sa alam ko sa senators walang ganyan na ‘no work, no pay.’” He added that dela Rosa never turned in a formal excuse letter for his absences. Senators also get paid their full salaries during adjournment periods. 

Now, the Senate leadership is mulling an amendment to the Senate Rules allowing the upper chamber to withhold the salary of dela Rosa.

Pie Gonzaga

Culture Writer

Pie Gonzaga is the Culture Writer of Rolling Stone Philippines, primarily covering film, TV, food, and internet culture.

Gonzaga has worked on a range of stories for print and digital formats, from an interview with Cardinal Ambo David to features on queer party organizers such as CHURCH and Club Euphoria. Her work as the magazine’s former State of Affairs Writer includes news updates on pressing issues like the flood control scandal and the missing sabungeros, and covering rallies. Under Culture, she’s written episode recaps for hit shows, film reviews, and features on restaurants and the people who run them.

Before working with Rolling Stone Philippines, she contributed lifestyle and entertainment stories for a digital news platform.

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• In This Article:
• Bato dela Rosa
• Senate