House Leaders Rally Behind Strict 'No Work, No Pay' Policy for Congress Members
A coalition of influential leaders within the House of Representatives has thrown its full support behind a groundbreaking legislative proposal. The initiative, championed by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos, seeks to implement a rigorous 'no work, no pay' policy for all members of Congress. This group, identifying themselves as the Young Guns, declared the measure a critical and long-overdue institutional reform.
Protecting Taxpayers and Restoring Trust
The lawmakers argue that the primary objectives of House Bill 7432 are to safeguard taxpayer money, fortify legislative accountability, and rebuild public confidence in the nation's legislative body. They emphasize that this is a fundamental issue of fairness in governance.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union articulated the core principle, stating, 'This bill simply ensures that public money is spent only when public work is done.' He clarified that compensation for public office must directly correspond to the actual legislative services rendered, ensuring funds are released solely upon verified performance of duties.
Ortega further stressed the non-partisan nature of the reform, adding, 'This is an institutional reform, not a partisan measure. Clear rules that apply to everyone protect both the institution and its members.'
Applying Universal Standards to Lawmakers
Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, highlighted the proposal's alignment with standards expected of all Filipino workers. 'If this principle applies to workers nationwide, it should apply even more to those crafting the laws,' Adiong asserted in a separate statement.
He reinforced the foundational concept of public service, noting, 'Public service begins with showing up and doing the work. Representation requires presence and participation.' This perspective frames legislative duty as an active commitment rather than a passive entitlement.
Enhancing Discipline and Transparency
In a supporting statement, Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales framed the bill as a tool for professional discipline. 'This is not about punishment – it is about professional discipline in lawmaking. Attendance remains a basic measure of responsibility,' he explained.
Khonghun also underscored a key transparency provision within the bill, which mandates public access to official attendance records. 'When attendance is visible, accountability naturally follows,' he remarked, linking visibility directly to responsible governance.
Constitutional Grounding and Legislative Details
House Deputy Majority Leader Rodge Gutierrez of the 1-Rider Party-list provided the constitutional basis for the proposal. He noted that the Constitution empowers Congress to regulate its own compensation through legislation. 'This is firmly within Congress’s constitutional authority,' Gutierrez stated.
He elaborated on the bill's protective mechanisms, saying it 'protects public funds by ensuring that salary releases are tied to verified legislative work and closes gaps where public funds could be released without public service.'
Officially titled the No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act, House Bill 7432 specifically aims to link the salaries and emoluments of senators and representatives to their verified attendance and active participation. This includes:
- Plenary sessions
- Committee hearings
- Other official legislative functions
In the bill's explanatory note, Majority Leader Marcos positioned the measure as a direct response to persistent public concerns regarding absenteeism, accountability, and the prudent use of taxpayer funds. The legislation stipulates that compensation should only be disbursed when lawmakers demonstrably fulfill their constitutional and legislative duties.
Safeguards and Penal Provisions
The proposed law includes important safeguards to accommodate legitimate absences. Valid reasons for non-attendance are clearly defined and include:
- Certified illness
- Authorized official travel
- Approved legislative missions
Conversely, the bill establishes strict penalties for misconduct, targeting the falsification of attendance records and the submission of unauthorized claims for compensation. These provisions are designed to prevent abuse and ensure the integrity of the system.
The Young Guns coalition concluded that this proposal sends an unequivocal message: public office is a profound responsibility rooted in service, not a privilege or an entitlement. They assert that Congress must be prepared to hold itself to the exacting standards of diligence and accountability that it rightfully expects from the Filipino citizenry it serves.
