House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos is pushing to institutionalize a “no work, no pay” policy in the House of Representatives, seeking to link lawmakers’ compensation directly to their attendance and participation.
House Bill No. 7432, also known as the No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act, was filed by Marcos, the representative of Ilocos Norte’s 1st District, and approved at the committee level on Tuesday morning.
According to the bill’s Declaration of Policy, the proposed measure aims to promote accountability, responsibility, and integrity in public service.
In the explanatory note, Marcos pointed out that while Filipino workers nationwide are generally subject to a “no work, no pay” arrangement, members of Congress are “currently compensated regardless of attendance or participation.”
Apart from withholding salaries and allowances from absent lawmakers, the measure also seeks the mandatory publication of attendance records to “strengthen public trust and oversight.”
Marcos further stressed that salaries and other benefits should be tied to lawmakers’ presence and active participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official House functions.
Past attendance issues among lawmakers have drawn public scrutiny. Former world boxing champion-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao, who served as Sarangani’s lone district representative, was previously listed among the top absentees during the 16th Congress, as legislative sessions often conflicted with his boxing career.
Attendance concerns have also been raised in the Senate. Reports noted that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa last attended a plenary session on 11 November 2025, prompting questions over continued salary releases amid his prolonged absence.
The issue surfaced after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla claimed that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier said the Senate was looking into the possibility of suspending Dela Rosa or withholding his salary due to his extended absence from plenary sessions.