Solon proposes ‘no work, no pay’ policy for lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker recently filed a bill proposing a “no work, no pay” policy for members of the House of Representatives (HOR) who fail to attend sessions.

Navotas Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco proposed House Bill (HB) 412 otherwise known as “An act providing for a ‘No work, No pay’ policy for members of Congress” as he sought to encourage quorum in the 17^th Congress.  His bill states that “all members of the Congress shall attend, participate and take part in the regular and special sessions of the Congress.”

“Kasi ang ordinaryong trabahador ‘no work, no pay’ e so siguro kami rin dapat ‘no work, no pay’ kung gusto natin ng pagbabago e manggaling rin mismo doon sa Kongreso,” Tiangco said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

With HB 412, salaries of those who fail to attend HOR sessions will be deducted  based on the formula of compensation Tiangco indicated. Monthly salary will be divided by the number of session days and will total to salary per session day while salary per session day will be multiplied by the number of absences which will be the equivalent of total deductions. Total deductions will then be substracted from the monthly salary and will total to the net monthly salary of a lawmaker.

“In case of failure to attend the regular and special sessions for unjustifiable cause, appropriate deductions on monthly salary shall be imposed,” the proposed bill read.

The Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management in coordination with the accounting department of the Congress are identified as the agencies that would issue the rules and regulations needed to carry out the purpose of HB No. 412.

Sixth District Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos agreed with Tiangco’s proposal, saying lawmakers were trusted by the electorate and so they must fulfill their duties which include regular attendance to Congress sessions.

“You deserve it, pag trinabaho mo dapat kang bayaran. Sa tingin ko tama lang naman ‘yung pagsasabatas niyan.  ‘Pag nagtrabaho ka, may compensation ka. ‘Pag hindi ka nagtrabaho, sorry,” Santos said.