Attendance in the House of Representatives has registered an unprecedented average of 247 congressmen per session for a total of 18 session days, the chamber’s leadership revealed yesterday.
“This attendance record is unsurpassed, historic, and a testament to the determination and patriotism of the legislators, under the guidance and leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano,” revealed the House Press and Public Affairs Bureau in a press release.
House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez lauded his colleagues for helping reach the new attendance record, saying that the numbers represent the work ethic of House members.
On the other hand, Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales II commended his colleagues in the House for their dedication to their legislative duties as shown by the impressive attendance record.
“I have been a member of several Congresses, and I am truly elated by the record attendance of House Members of the 18th Congress led by Speaker Cayetano. The high attendance of our colleagues reflects their discipline, hard work, deep passion, and great interest to serve the people and enact priority laws that will give them a safe and comfortable life,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales noted that despite the spate of holidays last month, representatives chose to attend to their congressional work instead of going on extended break.
For instance, the House recorded a high of 266 attendees during the roll call last Aug. 13, which was the day after the observance of Eid’l-Adha, and 259 attendees on Aug. 27, a day after the celebration of National Heroes Day.
With the consistent presence of an overwhelming majority of representatives, the House effectively held the budget briefings for the General Appropriations Bill or 2020 on the level of the Committee on Appropriations, allowing simultaneous hearings to be held at a single time, and the passage of three eagerly awaited priority measures on third and final reading. (Ben Rosario)
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