Manila: House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos has introduced a bill proposing a 'no work, no pay' policy for members of Congress. The initiative aims to address absenteeism, enhance accountability, and protect public resources.
According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill (HB) No. 7432, titled the No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act, links the compensation of senators and representatives to their participation in official legislative duties. This includes attendance at plenary sessions and committee hearings.
Marcos emphasized that the 'no work, no pay' principle is a standard applied to workers nationwide. He highlighted that Congress members are currently paid regardless of their participation, raising public concerns about absenteeism and misuse of taxpayer funds.
The bill intends to ensure that public funds are used only when lawmakers fulfill their responsibilities. By aligning compensation with actual work, it seeks to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Under the proposed legislation, lawmakers would receive payment only for days they are present and engaged in official legislative work. This encompasses attendance at plenary sessions, participation in committee hearings, and involvement in authorized activities.
Unexcused absences would lead to forfeited compensation, while valid absences would be acknowledged, including illness verified by a physician, authorized representation, official travel, or approved leaves.
The bill also acknowledges attendance at authorized committee meetings, sessions of the Commission on Appointments, the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, bicameral conference committees, and official missions approved by the Speaker.
To enhance transparency, the measure requires daily attendance monitoring by the secretariats of both chambers and mandates that attendance records be publicly accessible. Compensation would be released only upon verified presence.
Marcos referenced the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which allows for statutory regulation of congressional compensation. The bill penalizes falsification of attendance records or compensation claims without performing official duties, categorizing such acts as misconduct subject to disciplinary action.
Marcos urged for the swift enactment of the measure, asserting that it reinforces Congress's commitment to uphold the highest standards of public service and ensure that elected representatives embody the principle of service to the people.
