MANILA, July 25 — The leadership of the House of Representatives has made good its policy to shut out members arriving late at the plenary session hall past the 4 p.m. roll call time.
At least five tardy lawmakers were locked out of the plenary hall at the start of the second regular session of the 17th Congress on Tuesday.
A quorum was declared after 226 members responded to the roll call.
This policy, according to House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, aims to instill discipline lawmakers who often come late.
“As per our agreement during the All-Party Caucus on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 and in line with our efforts to facilitate our plenary deliberations, the daily Roll Call, starting Tuesday, July 25, 2017, will commence right after the call to order at 4 p.m. at which time all doors leading to the session hall shall be locked and shall be opened only after the roll call,” the memorandum issued by Fariñas read.
“Except those who are deemed under Section 71 of our Rules, all Members are enjoined to be at the session hall before 4:00 p.m. as those appearing after the Roll Call shall be marked absent,” it added. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)
