HOUSE Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has filed a bill that would impose a strict “no work, no pay” rule for all members of both House of Representatives and Senate to address absenteeism in Congress, strengthen accountability, and protect public funds.
Under House Bill 7432 or the “No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act,” salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives should be directly tied to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official legislative duties.
The measure comes as some lawmakers have already been on prolonged absences for various reasons but are not subjected to any decreases in their salaries.
In his explanatory note, Marcos said the principle of “no work, no pay” has been applied to workers across the country, but members of Congress, who are entrusted with the responsibility of crafting laws and representing the people, are currently compensated “regardless of attendance or participation.” This practice, according to the presidential son, has fueled “public concern over absenteeism, lack of accountability and wastage of taxpayer funds.” Marcos said that the measure will seek to correct absenteeism among lawmakers by ensuring that public funds will be spent only when these elected officials fulfill their duties.
Under the measure, lawmakers will only be paid for the days when they are present in performing official legislative work, including attendance in plenary sessions, participation in committee hearings where they are listed members, and engagement in authorized official activities.
Unexcused absences will result in forfeiture of compensation, while valid absences will be recognized, including illness certified by a licensed physician, authorized official representation, official travel or mission approved by chamber leadership, and approved leaves of absences.
Lawmakers will be deemed present when attending 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.
For transparency, the measure mandates daily attendance monitoring by the secretariats of both chambers and requires that attendance records be made publicly accessible and compensation would only be released on the basis of verified presence.
In addressing constitutional concerns, Marcos said that “no less than the 1987 Constitution itself provides for the statutory regulation of the official compensation for members of Congress,” which states that their salaries “shall be determined by law.” Falsification of attendance records or claims for compensation without performing official duties will be penalized as misconduct subject to disciplinary action under existing congressional rules.
The Palace on Tuesday said President Marcos would not try to influence the move to institutionalize “no work, no pay” for members of Congress.
In a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the chief executive was “surprised” learning of his son’s move, but said he gets the general idea behind the proposed law.
“In general, this is a good proposal so that those who do not work will know they should not benefit from public funds,” Castro said in Filipino, and also maintained that Marcos would leave it to lawmakers to pass or junk the proposal.
“The president said that is the job of the legislators and he will not interfere in the process of passing it into a law,” Castro said in Filipino.
Salaries of congressmen range between P290,000 to P330,000 a month, excluding allowances.