House dress code: No jeans, tees

MANILA, Philippines - Shorts, jeans and t-shirts and other informal wear are a no-no at the House of Representatives.

The House Secretary-General reminded yesterday lawmakers on the proper dress code for them to follow during session days.

“Please be reminded that the first paragraph of Section 92 of the Rules of the House provides for the proper attire to be worn during sessions and committee meetings,” the order said.

Section 92 of the House rules deal with the conduct and attire during sessions and committee hearings.

The section states that “members shall wear proper attire which is barong Filipino or coat and tie for men, and Filipina dress or business suit for women, and observe proper decorum during sessions and committee meetings.”

“During Monday sessions, female members are encouraged to wear traditional Filipina dress and male members are encouraged to wear barong Filipino. Officers and members of the secretariat shall also wear proper attire which is the prescribed official uniform during sessions and committee meetings.”

The reminder was prompted by an incident the other day where a neophyte lawmaker arrived in the session hall wearing only a short-sleeved polo.

Old-timers in the chamber recalled an incident when a female lawmaker attended session wearing jeans matched by a denim blouse, bag and shoes.