Is your representative a frequent absentee?

MANILA, Philippines – In 2012, only 25 out of 283 solons recorded a perfect attendance in plenary sessions. 

With Pampanga Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo currently under hospital arrest for plunder charges, it comes as no surprise that the former president topped last year’s list of absentee solons. 

Her son, Camarines Sur Rep Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, was however present in all 61 sessions. 

Also among those frequently absent was Sarangani Rep Manny Pacquiao, who fought two matches last year — against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Here’s the list of solons with the most number of recorded absences:

It was a banner year for Congress as lawmakers managed to pass historic bills on sin tax and reproductive health. Yet, only 25 out of 283 House members managed to be physically present in all the 61 sessions. This was almost the same as in 2011, wherein only 26 representatives had perfect attendance in all 59 sessions. 

In tabulating the attendance record of solons, the House secretariat classifies attendance in sessions into two categories: those who are “actually present” and those who are “deemed present.” But only those who are actually present can be counted in determining the quorum. 

According to Section 70 of the House rules, those who are deemed present are: 

• Members who are attending committee meetings as authorized by the Committee on Rules, in accordance with Section 35 hereof, upon written notification to the Secretary General by the concerned committee secretary;
• Members who are attending meetings of the Commission on Appointments;
• Members who are attending meetings of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal;
• Members who are attending meetings of bicameral conference committees; and
• Members who are on official mission as approved by the Speaker.” 

Here are the 25 lawmakers who were “actually present” in all 61 sessions in 2012:

1. Emmeline Aglipay (Diwa party-list)
2. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo (Camarines Sur)
3. Leopoldo Bataoil (Pangasinan)
4. Feliciano Belmonte (Quezon City – House Speaker))
5. Amelita Calimbas- Villarosa (Occidental Mindoro)
6. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Pasay City)
7. Maximo Dalog (Mountain Province)
8. Rachel Del Mar (Cebu City)
9. Robert Estrella (Abono party-list)
10. Salvio Fortuno (Camarines Sur)
11. Albert Garcia (Bataan)
12. Roilo Golez (Parañaque)
13. Fernando Gonzales (Albay)
14. David Kho (Senior Citizens party-list)
15. Edcel Lagman (Albay)
16. Isidro Lico (Ating Koop party-list)
17. Reena Obillo (UNA Ang Pamilya party-list)
18. Cresente Paez (COOP NATCCO party-list)
19. Angelo Palmones (Agham party-list)
20. Pedro Pancho (Bulacan)
21. Jesus Paras (Bukidnon)
22. Mariano Piamonte Jr (A Teacher party-list)
23. Deogracias Ramos Jr (Sorsogon)
24. Danilo Suarez (Quezon)
25. Jose Zubiri (Bukidnon)

Here are the representatives who were among those who scored a perfect attendance but were only “deemed present” in some sessions:

1. Giorgidi Aggabao (Isabela), 
2. Bolet Banal (Quezon City)
3. Winston Castelo (Quezon City)
4. Antonio del Rosario (Capiz)
5. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon)
6. Bem Noel (An Waray party-list)
7. Roberto Puno (Antipolo City)
8. Romero Quimbo (Marikina City)
9. Rene Relampagos (Bohol)
10. Jesus Sacdalan (Sulu)
11. Sherwin Tugna (Cibac party-list)

Check your representative’s attendance record here: 

Solons’ attendance for 2012

– Rappler.com