House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos has filed a bill that would institutionalalize a "no work, no pay" scheme for both congressmen and senators.

Under Marcos' House Bill (HB) No.7432, members of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) shall receive compensation only for days in which they are present performing official legislative duties.

In the explanatory note of his measure, the presidential son says that the scheme "[ensures] that public funds are spent only when these elected officials fulfill their duties".

"By mandating that salary and other emoluments be tied to attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official functions, the measure promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance," he added.

Marcos pointed out in HB No.7432 that no work, no pay was a general labor standard applied to workers across the country.

"However, members of Congress, who are entrusted with the responsibility of crafting laws and representing the people, are currently compensated regardless of attendance or participation. This has led to public concern over absenteeism, lack of accountability and wastage of taxpayer funds," he said.

Marcos' proposal provides safeguards by recognizing valid reasons for absence, such as illness or official representation duties, while penalizing misconduct and fraudulent claims. Furthermore, it requires the publication of attendance records to strengthen public trust and oversight.

The majority also appeared to be one step ahead, as he included in the explanatory note a response to a possible criticism of the bill.

"To the objection that this bill is probably unconstitutional, for selective discrimination against members of Congress (hence, a class legislation), it must be remembered that no less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself provides for the statutory regulation of the official compensation for members of Congress," he said.

Marcos said that the Charter "states in part, under Section 10 of Article VI, that The salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall be determined by law".

The monthly salaries of House members and senators is estimated to be around P300,000.

"Official legislative duties" by House members and senators include attendance in plenary sessions, participation in committee hearings (where such member is officially listed as a member of the committee), and engagement in official activities.

Under the bill, the secretariat of each chamber shall maintain daily attendance records of members. Compensation shall be computed and disbursed based on verified attendance, the records of which shall be made publicly accessible to ensure transparency.

Any attempt to falsify attendance records or claim compensation without performing official duties shall constitute misconduct and shall be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, in accordance with existing rules of Congress, the bill stated.