Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri during one of the Senate’s plenary sessions. Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senators Franklin Drilon, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Vicente Sotto III, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri were present for all plenary sessions from July 22, 2019 to Sept.1, 2021, records of the upper House show.
In a statement Zubiri said: “As an elected official, I owe it to the people to show up and do my work, which is why I have kept a perfect record of attendance since I first served in the House of Representatives in 1998. And I will continue to do so. It’s especially important for us to continue working in times of crisis like this pandemic, when people urgently need legislation to protect their health and livelihood. It’s my Honor to serve the Filipino people.”
Zubiri stressed that it’s about the people’s trust.
The first regular session of the 18th Congress had 67 sessions from July 22, 2019 to June 4, 2020, while the second regular session, covers July 27, 2020 to June 3, 2021, with 69 sessions.
The third regular session, which ran from July 26, 2021 to Aug. 25, 2021, has so far conducted eight sessions.
Among those who have missed regular sessions via mere absence or sick leave during the more than two-year stretch of the 18th Congress are:
Sen. Manny Pacquiao with 10 absences and two sick leaves, Sen. Francis Pangilinan with six absences and two sick leaves, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III with four absences, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with four sick leaves
Below are the breakdown of the senators’ attendance, divided during the three regular sessions of the Senate:
1st regular session of the 18th Congress
Total number of roll calls: 67
ABSENT:
2 – Sen. Pia Cayetano
1- Sen. Panfilo Lacson
1 – Sen. Imee Marcos
2 – Sen. Manny Pacquiao
4 – Sen. Francis Pangilinan
4 – Sen. Koko Pimentel
2 – Sen. Grace Poe
2 – Sen. Ralph Recto
1 – Sen. Francis Tolentino
2 – Sen. Cynthia Villar
SICK LEAVE:
1 – Sen. Pia Cayetano
2 – Sen. Manny Pacquiao
2 – Sen. Francis Pangilinan
OFFICIAL MISSION:
1- Sen. Sonny Angara (LOCAL)
1- Sen. Pia Cayetano (LOCAL)
1- Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (ABROAD)
1- Sen. Richard Gordon (ABROAD)
2 – Sen. Lito Lapid (LOCAL)
4 – Sen. Lito Lapid (ABROAD)
1 – Sen. Manny Pacquiao (LOCAL)
3 – Sen. Francis Pangilinan (LOCAL)
1 – Sen. Ramon Revilla, Jr. (LOCAL)
3 – Sen. Ramon Revilla, Jr. (ABROAD)
PERFECT ATTENDANCE:
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
Sen. Franklin Drilon
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Sen. Vicente Sotto III
Sen. Joel Villanueva
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
2nd regular session of the 18th Congress
Total number of roll calls: 69
ABSENT:
2 – Sen. Francis Pangilinan
2- Sen. Ralph Recto
SICK LEAVE:
4 – Sen. Ronald dela Rosa
OFFICIAL MISSION:
1 – Sen. Richard Gordon
PERFECT ATTENDANCE:
Sen. Sonny Angara
Sen. Nancy Binay
Sen. Pia Cayetano
Sen. Franklin Drilon
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Sen. Panfilo Lacson
Sen. Lito Lapid
Sen. Imee Marcos
Sen. Manny Pacquiao
Sen. Koko Pimentel
Sen. Grace Poe
Sen. Ramon Revilla
Sen. Tito Sotto III
Sen. Francis Tolentino
Sen. Joel Villanueva
Sen. Cynthia Villar
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
3rd regular session of the 18th Congress
ABSENT:
8 – Sen. Manny Pacquiao
SICK LEAVE:
2 – Sen. Richard Gordon