Lacson: Proposed ‘no work, no pay’ policy in Congress ‘demeaning’

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Reelected Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson rejected on Wednesday the proposed “no work, no pay” policy for members of Congress, saying it would be “demeaning” to them as elected officials.

“We are not daily wage earners to be subjected to no-work-no-pay scheme,” Lacson said in a text message.

“I think it’s demeaning to our positions as elected officials,” he said.

Lacson was reacting to Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco’s bill which seeks to impose salary deductions to any lawmaker who would not attend, participate and take part in the regular and special sessions of Congress.

READ: ‘No work, no pay’ policy in Congress pushed

The senator said he would oppose the bill “only to maintain the dignity and honor of the legislature and its members.”

“The proposed legislation is good copy for the media but I think it won’t pass. I will oppose it if only to maintain the dignity and honor of the legislature and its members,” he said.

“We are responsible officials and we answer to our constituents when we misbehave or commit misdemeanor like not attending sessions whimsically or without justifiable reason,” Lacson added. JE

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