Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. SENATE POOL FILE PHOTO
Like the ordinary people they represent, Congressmen may get salary deductions for being absent if a bill filed by Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco is passed.
Tiangco filed a bill seeking to adopt a “no work, no pay” policy for the members of the 17th Congress.
The proposed measure or House Bill 412 would impose salary deductions to any member of the Congress who would not attend, participate and take part in the regular and special sessions of Congress.
“In case of failure to attend the regular and special sessions for unjustifiable cause, appropriate deductions on monthly salary shall be imposed,” the bill read.
The deductions would be computed by dividing the monthly salary by the number of sessions equals salary per session day, and then multiplying the salary per session day to the number of absences which equals to the total deductions on the representative’s pay.
The Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management would provide the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed law in coordination with the accounting department of Congress.
In the explanatory note, Tiangco said the multiple absences of some members of the Congress resulting in the absence of a quorum delayed the prompt passage of pertinent bills.
“Some members of Congress have failed to promptly, effectively, and efficiently carry out and perform the mandate of their office by reason of their failure to regularly attend the sessions of Congress,” Tiangco said.
READ: Solon wants absent colleagues expelled
Tiangco said previous congresses required four session days, which was later shortened to three days from Monday to Wednesday to enable members to attend to the needs of the constituents.
“Despite this change in session days, still, the attendance of house members has not improved,” Tiangco said.
Tiangco said Congress should also be subjected to the same “no work, no pay” policy imposed on ordinary workers.
“Their presence is required to represent the people and give their constituents a vote in Congress. In order to promote professionalism, dedication to duty and efficiency in the performance of duty, this bill earnestly seeks the adoption of a ‘no work, no pay’ policy for members of Congress,” Tiangco said.
READ: 4: Number of days Pacquiao reported in Congress in 2014
In 2014, former Sarangani Rep. and now senator boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was the top absentee in Congress, having only attended four session days. With Kathryn Jedi Baylon, INQUIRER.net trainee/IDL
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