Marcos surprised over Sandro's 'no work, no pay' for lawmakers proposal
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (MANILA BULLETIN/Mark Balmores)
Malacañang said President Marcos was surprised by his son House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos' proposal to impose a "no work, no pay" rule for lawmakers.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it seems that the President and his son have yet to talk about the latter's proposal, and that it caught the President by surprise.
"So, mukhang hindi pa po sila nag-uusap patungkol po rito dahil nabigla siya na may proposal si Congressman Sandro (So, it seems they have not talked about this yet because he was surprised that Congressman Sandro had a proposal)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The President also said that he will not interfere with the younger Marcos' work, and would only study the proposed measure once it reaches him.
"Pero ang sabi lamang po ng Pangulo, trabaho po iyan ng mambabatas at hindi po siya makikialam kung ano po ang mangyayari, kung ito ay magiging batas. At kung ano lang po ang ihahain sa kaniya at mababasa niya, iyon lamang po ang kanyang aaralin (But the President said that it is the lawmaker’s work, and he will not interfere with what happens or whether it becomes law. He will only study whatever is submitted to him and whatever he reads)," Castro said.
The "no work, no pay" proposal is aimed at curbing absenteeism, strengthening accountability, and safeguarding public funds.
House Bill (HB) No. 7432, or the No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act, mandates that salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives be directly tied to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official legislative duties.