Removal of committee memberships for absentee solons pushed

MANILA, Philippines – A proposal to penalize absentee lawmakers by removing their committee membership was proposed at the House of Representatives.

Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino said this was part of the discipline on lawmakers who were lazy to attend committee hearings.

Quoted over Radyo Inquirer 990AM Tuesday, Palatino said that they were not able to finish their work because of the long recess and the lack of quorum at the House during sessions that often resulted in early dismissal or suspension of the proceedings.

Congressmen should shorten their vacation and extend their working time, Palatino said.

Palatino said that the House had 46 days of recess before resuming session Monday and it would again adjourn on June 7.

Palatino also said that although the sessions were held at 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday as provided in Section 69 of the House rules, lawmakers would only meet until Wednesday so that they could visit their districts Thursdays and Fridays. Charry Espino