Of the 288 congressmen of the 15th Congress, dismissed Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo attended the least number of plenary sessions during the 2nd regular session of the House of Representatives.
Based on records of the lower House secretary-general from July 25, 2011 to June 6, 2012, Ecleo was only in session for 8 session days until he was dropped from the rolls on May 31, 2012, a week before the 2nd regular session adjourned sine die.
He has not been publicly visible since his conviction for a corruption became final.
Ecleo is followed by Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was only in 19 session days. The former President was absent without notice for 9 days, and marked absent due to medical reasons for 24 session days.
Boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was in session for only 31 days, absent without notice for 8, and on constituency work for 10.
Rep. Buboy Syjuco was only in session for 34 days, absent without notice for 17 and on constituency work for 1 day.
Rep. Julio Ledesma was only in session for 35 session days.
He was absent without leave for 10 days, out on medical reasons for one session day, and out on constituency work for 6 session days.
Rep. Erineo Maliksi was also only in session for 35 days, on constituency work for 12 days, and absent without notice for 5 days.
Lawmakers Mikey Arroyo, Rolando Andaya, Valentina Plaza, Jack Enrile, and Roger Mercado were in session for only 36 days.
Mercado was on constituency work for 12 days and absent without leave for 4 days. Mikey Arroyo on the other hand was absent without notice for 16 session days.
Andaya, meanwhile, was on constituency work for 12 days and absent without notice for 4 days.
Plaza was on constituency work for 10 days, on medical for 4 and absent without notice for 4.
They are followed by Representatives Rodolfo Antonino and Teddy Brawner Baguilat.
Baguilat was on constituency work for 8 days, on medical for 4 and out without leave for 2 while Antonino was on constituency work for 12 days and out on 3 without leave.
Perfect attendance for 38
Meanwhile, only 34 of the 288 congressmen, or around 12%, registered perfect attendance during the second regular session.
Among those present during all session days were House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, and Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo.
The chamber’s Office of the Secretary General uses two categories to record attendance: deemed present and actually present.
For this year, a column on “Senate Impeachment” was added in the category, together with the Official Business (Foreign), under which the lawmaker may be deemed present even if he is not at the plenary hall.
The almost 5 months trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona that started in January 19 could be partly blamed for the lack of warm bodies in plenary during session days.
Under Section 70 of the House Rules of the 15th Congress, the following are deemed present:
– members attending committee meetings as authorized by the committee on rules, upon written notification to the Secretary General by the secretary of the concerned committee;
– members attending meetings of the Commission on Appointments;
– members attending meetings of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal;
– members attending meetings of the bicameral conference; and,
– members on official missions approved by the Speaker.
Those who registered perfect attendance were:
1. Emmeline Aglipay (DIWA partylist)
2. Jorge Almonte (Misamis Occidental)
3. Leopoldo Bataoil (Pangasinan)
4. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo (Camarines Sur)
5. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City)
6. Mitzi Cajayon (Caloocan)
7. Jane Castro (Capiz)
8. Jesus Celeste (Pangasinan)
9. Enrique Cojuangco (Tarlac)
10. Simeon Datumanong (Maguindanao)
11. Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (Cebu)
12. Erico Basilio Fabian (Zamboanga City)
13. Salvio Fortuno (Camarines Sur)
14. Albert Raymond Garcia (Bataan)
15. Roilo Golez (Paranaque)
16. Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong)
17. Agapito Guanlao (BUTIL partylist)
18. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Kasangga partylist)
19. David Kho (Senior Citizens partylist)
20. Antonio Lagdameo Jr. (Davao del Norte)
21. Edcel Lagman (Albay)
22. Isidro Lico (Ating Koop partylist)
23. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon)
24. Reena Obillo (Ang Pamilya partylist)
25. Angelo Palmones (Agham partylist)
26. Elmer Panotes (Camarines Norte)
27. Jesus Emmanuel Paras (Bukidnon)
28. Deogracias Ramos Jr. (Sorsogon)
29. Herminia Roman (Bataan)
30. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte)
31. Pedro Romulo (Camiguin)
32. Nur-Ana Sahidulla
33. Cesar Sarmiento (Catanduanes)
34. Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (Cagayan)
