The recently completed Senate term spent more money on “botellas” than on its official payroll. “Botella” is the popular nickname for the disguised corrupt practice of having no-show “employees” in spite of collecting their monthly paychecks. Clave weekly newspaper reports the Senate spent RD$851,239 monthly to pay 76 such employees and an additional RD$217,539 monthly on employees who were on permanent leave of absence, which added up to RD$12.8 million yearly, according to an audit report.