House posts record attendance despite lack of 'pork'

MANILA, Philippines -  The House of Representatives has posted a record attendance in its sessions despite numerous complaints about the lack or delayed release of pork barrel funds by Malacañang.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. cited the collective achievement of his colleagues in remarks marking the end of the first regular session of Congress two weeks ago.

“Our performance a year in office speaks for itself. Despite being the biggest in terms of membership, we continue to register the most robust plenary attendance per session day - which, based on official data, averaged 94.25 percent of our membership,” he told his colleagues.

“This record, unparalleled in the history of this chamber, is complemented by the frequent meetings of our committees. The hard work of our members has made it possible for us to process - at both the committee and plenary levels - a total of 1,658 measures, or an average of 23 measures per session day,” he said.

Sought for comment yesterday on what contributed to the record attendance in the House during the 73 days of session that Congress held in the past year, Rep. Florencio Noel of the party-list group An Waray said, “It was a combination of several factors.”

“First, there were the neophytes or first-term members. They are very active, they did not want to miss sessions. And that attitude was infectious,” he said.

“Second, our members are inspired by the leadership of the Speaker. He is a father figure to us, and he is a fair father of the House,” he said.

Shortly after his election in July, Belmonte gave away committee chairmanships to neophytes and party-list representatives, which was a no-no in previous years, when committee assignments were always reserved for “senior” members.

Noel himself was chosen to chair the committee on accounts, which manages the House funds and which is a job that requires the complete trust of the Speaker.

Noel said equally active in plenary sessions and committee meetings were members on their second and third or last term, and party-list representatives.

Most of the more than 30 members on their last term were elected committee chairmen, which requires them to be more active, he added.

Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez agreed with Noel that the presence of neophytes was a big factor in the record attendance the House has posted.

“They have developed friendship and camaraderie among themselves and with the second-term and last-term membership,” he said.

However, he said he noticed that like before, many members disappeared shortly after the roll call, “unless there are controversial issues that the House has to resolve like the recent impeachment case.”

He was referring to the overwhelming vote to impeach then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who resigned a few days before her Senate trial was to start.

Even Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma, who registered the most absences in previous sessions, showed up to vote for ousting Gutierrez. The gallery applauded him when he took the floor.

His colleagues still frequently missed Ledesma in the past year.

Other congressmen who had noticeable frequent absences were boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who represents Sarangani, and Juan Miguel Arroyo of the party-list group Ang Galing Pinoy.

Pacquiao was mostly absent while preparing for his fight in November, and again for another fight in May. He had to promote his matches and train in the United States.

Rep. Arroyo missed the last month of session as he and his family had an extended vacation in the US.