A bill has been filed by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos seeking to impose a strict “no work, no pay” compensation scheme for members of Congress, aimed at addressing absenteeism, strengthening accountability, and safeguarding public funds.
Under House Bill No. 7432, titled the No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act, the salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives will be directly tied to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official legislative duties.
In the bill’s explanatory note, Marcos said, “The principle of ‘no work, no pay’ is 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.”
He added that the existing practice has fueled public concern “over absenteeism, lack of accountability, and wastage of taxpayer funds.”
Marcos said the proposed measure seeks to correct this by ensuring “that public funds are spent only when these elected officials fulfill their duties,” noting that linking compensation to actual work “promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.”
Under the bill, lawmakers will be paid only for days when they are present and performing official legislative work. This includes attendance in plenary sessions, participation in committee hearings where they are listed members, and engagement in authorized official activities.
Unexcused absences will result in the forfeiture of compensation. However, the measure recognizes valid absences, such as illness certified by a licensed physician, authorized official representation, official travel or mission approved by chamber leadership, and approved leaves of absence.
The bill also considers lawmakers present when attending authorized committee meetings, sessions of the Commission on Appointments, the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, bicameral conference committees, and official missions approved by the Speaker.
To enhance transparency, the measure mandates daily attendance monitoring by the secretariats of both chambers and requires attendance records to be made publicly accessible. Compensation will be released only on the basis of verified presence.
Marcos also addressed constitutional concerns, noting that “no less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself provides for the statutory regulation of the official compensation for Members of Congress,” which states that their salaries “shall be determined by law.”
The bill further penalizes the falsification of attendance records or claims for compensation without performing official duties, classifying such acts as misconduct subject to disciplinary action under existing congressional rules.
“In passing this measure, Congress affirms its commitment to uphold the highest standards of public service and to ensure that elected representatives truly embody the principle of service to the people,” Marcos said, urging the swift enactment of the bill.