Jinggoy scores perfect attendance

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada again had a perfect attendance record during the Second Regular Session of the 13th Congress this year, data from the Senate’s legislative journal section showed.

Senate secretary Oscar Yabes said yesterday Senate records showed that Estrada attended all 87 sessions from July last year to the first week of June this year.

Estrada was informally adjudged as the best in attendance along with Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is set to turn over the presidency to Sen. Manuel Villar by next month.

Both Drilon and Estrada also topped the list during the First Regular Session of the 13th Congress from July 26, 2004 to June 8, 2005.

Estrada’s perfect attendance at the Senate sessions and functions allowed him to file 268 bills since his term started in 2004.

"It is the responsibility of senators, other lawmakers, and all elected officials to work hard for the welfare of the people... We owe it to the people and the voters to attend all congressional functions and serve their constituents sincerely," Estrada said.

Taxpayers expect lawmakers to do their jobs and not waste the government’s money, he added.

During the first regular session last year, Senate President Pro-Tempore Juan Flavier, Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, and Senators Joker Arroyo, Lito Lapid, Villar, Pia Cayetano, and Luisa Ejercito had near-perfect attendance records.