Del Mar, Garcia only Cebu perfect attendance solons

CEBU, Philippines - Representatives Raul del Mar (Cebu City North District) and Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu Third District) recorded perfect attendance during the 16th Congress sessions from July 22, 2013 to June 11, 2014.

The House of Representatives has 290 members and 12 of them are from Cebu, including partylist representatives.

Del Mar and Garcia are among the 68 lawmakers who posted perfect attendance along with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

However, Fifth District Rep. Joseph Felix "Ace" Durano had the poorest attendance record among the Cebuano lawmakers. He was "present" in 53 out of 69 session days. He was followed by Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon who attended 56 plenary sessions.

Section 70 of the House rules states that those who are deemed present are the following: Members who are attending committee meetings as authorized by the Committee on Rules, in accordance with Section 35 hereof, upon written notification to the Secretary General by the concerned committee secretary; members who are attending meetings of the Commission on Appointments; members who are attending meetings of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal; members who are attending meetings of bicameral conference committees; and members who are on official mission as approved by the Speaker.

The House holds just three session days in a week.

Representatives Wilfredo Caminero of the 2nd district and Francisco Ashley Acedillo of Magdalo partylist attended 68 plenary sessions while Coop-NATCCO Rep. Cresente Paez, Cebu City South Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa and Gerald Anthony Gullas attended 67 sessions.

Sixth District Rep. Luigi Quisumbing attended 66 plenary sessions while TUCP Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, who only took his oath on July 31, 2013, was present in 61 sessions.

Lapu-Lapu City lone district Rep. Aileen Radaza was present in 60 plenary sessions.

Del Mar, in an interview with The FREEMAN, said that attending sessions is important considering that they need to closely monitor proposed legislations concerning Cebu.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)