No Work ... Di Ba Dapat No Pay?

The No Work No Pay Brawl had been plaguing the Senate as of late. Senator Bato de la Rosa was in the eye of the storm because of his continued absence (he has not attended Senate sessions and has not made any public appearance for sixty days now).

This prompted Senate President Tito Sotto to issue a statement that he could not force de la Rosa to attend sessions despite his prolonged absence.

The names of Senator Antonio Trillanes and Senator Leila de Lima were dragged into controversy when Tito Sen compared de la Rosa's situation to the former senators.

Tito Sen is both right and wrong when he made his observation. He was RIGHT because the three can't be physically present in Senate sessions because of their situations. 

Tama nga naman siya ... bakit nga ba niya pipilitin si Bato na pumasok kung gusto niya magtago ... aber?

And he was WRONG because of the individual reasons that prevent them from attending the plenary and other Senate discussions.

While the observable circumstances or outcomes for the three senators are identical, the underlying causes, motivations, and explanations why they were absent were different.

For Senator Bato ... he was obviously running away from the possible arrest by the ICC. 

On the other hand, Leila de Lima was unable to physically attend Senate sessions because she was detained over bogus charges filed during the Duterte administration. While Sen Tri was detained for sedition and obstruction of justice.

The second difference (so Tito Sen will understand) was that for Bato ... he had thought of making himself scarce and incommunicado from the get-go (he even made jokes about playing hide and seek after PRRD's arrest). 

He had thought of this a long time ago, that whenever the arrest is almost at hand ... and if he were made to choose between FIGHT and FLIGHT ... his only choice was to escape. Detention was never an option for him.

For de Lima and Trillanes, they were held captive right away.

The third difference is the typical DDS hallmark - resisting arrest ... a crime that prevents a law enforcement officer from making a lawful arrest, like fleeing(Harry Roque in Hague, Zaldy Co, possibly in Europe or Asia, Arnie Teves in Timor-Leste after his repatriation.

For de Lima and Trillanes... there's no such resistance.

And the fourth difference ... for Bato he was completely out of touch and is not willing to communicate. 

On the other hand, de Lima and Trillanes... were able to keep their offices running through their staff while they were detained.

Leila also requested permission to attend plenary sessions and committee hearings online during the pandemic, but the Senate majority denied her request.

But one thing is sure: Detention was not a hindrance for them para hindi magtrabaho. Proof of that was that they were able to file some bills na naging batas.

That alone is clear evidence of work... and their intent to work.

Si Bato naman ... wala pa nga sa detention ... the moment na marinig niya and rumor of his potentiasl arrest ... kumaripas na at nagtakbo leaving his office in limbo. Hindi nga malaman kung babalik pa?

The sad thing ... nagtatago na nga ... pero may sweldo ha. Saan ka makakita nang ganyan?

Only in the Philippines.