The House of Representative has implemented its no-late policy and has started to shut out lawmakers arriving late at the plenary session.
A day after President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), at least five tardy lawmakers who arrived past the 4:00 p.m. calltime were locked out of the plenary session hall.
A quorum was declared after 226 members responded to the roll call.
This policy, according to House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, aims to instill discipline lawmakers who often come late.e
“As per our agreement during the All-Party Caucus on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 and in line with our efforts to facilitate our plenary deliberations, the daily Roll Call, starting Tuesday, July 25, 2017, will commence right after the call to order at 4 p.m. at which time all doors leading to the session hall shall be locked and shall be opened only after the roll call,” the memorandum issued by Fariñas read.
“Except those who are deemed under Section 71 of our Rules, all Members are enjoined to be at the session hall before 4:00 p.m. as those appearing after the Roll Call shall be marked absent,” it added.
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