Arroyo, allies were top House absentees

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. AP FILE PHOTO

Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and Pampanga lawmakers Anna York Bondoc and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the House members who missed the most number of sessions in 2012, according to official records from the House of Representatives.

Syjuco and Bondoc attended only 35 out of 61 sessions in 2012, the records showed.

Arroyo, who was detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for most of last year because of a plunder case, had the lowest attendance record at 33.

On the other hand, 35 out of 283 representatives registered perfect attendance in 2012, including Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

Arroyo’s son, Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo, was present in all 61 session days.

The other lawmakers who registered the lowest attendance were Pampanga Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, who attended 37 sessions; and Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron and Masbate Rep. Narciso Bravo, who both attended 40 sessions.

Attending 41 sessions were Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma, Cavite Rep. Erineo Maliksi, TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Abra Rep. Jocelyn Bernos and Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas attended 43 sessions each, while Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia attended 44 sessions.

The House of Representatives usually had a relatively full session hall for most of 2012, but began having quorum problems in the last quarter of the year at a time when it was supposed to be rushing the approval of crucial bills.

Officials attributed the absenteeism late last year to the lawmakers’ preparations for the 2013 polls.

But the House did manage to muster a quorum when it tackled the controversial reproductive health bill.

Several lawmakers are concerned that the nine session days left before the campaign period begins may be plagued by absenteeism.

But Belmonte had said he believed that majority of lawmakers would be present when Congress reopens on Jan. 21. He said he would remind House members of the need to attend the sessions. Leila B. Salaverria