Does Congress need
a truant officer?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

What a shame!

That was the reaction of all suffering, tax-paying Filipinos upon hearing the confirmation that many bills being proposed or introduced in Congress are not passed on time, or even just acted on, because of a very simple but disgusting reason: Not enough congressmen and women are present to constitute a quorum.

And so many of the so-called honorable members, who call each other “Gentlemen” continue to perpetuate their rape of the country’s treasury by shamelessly drawing their pork barrel, to the tune of P70 MILLION each per year, while they stay away from their duty and responsibility of taking up the measures supposed to improve the lives of their constituents and bring progress to the countrysides they are supposed to represent.

No less than the Speaker of the House of Representatives has admitted to the media that absenteeism is the main reason why their work gets delayed. Enterprising reporters have also disclosed that many, even most of the members just come in for the roll call, and after a few minutes, disappear to rest in their offices, loiter in the lounge or leave the building. Their behavior shows they couldn’t care less whether bills are discussed or that they could have contributed to their provisions. So what? The P70 MILLION is secure already, it’s theirs, and what they need to do only is wait for the next release.

What a shameful example to the youth, even the youngest children who are in school. There, they have to make sure they come on time, and stay in their seats so long as classes as going on. Didn’t the ones who are now “Honorable” members of Congress learn from their school years?

This is a challenge to the new Speaker of the House. Does he have enough clout to ensure attendance at sessions short of detaining them, as suggested by one member, by locking the door?*