Ombudsman asked to compel House members to attend BBL sessions

MANILA, Philippines - Civil society leaders asked yesterday the Office of the Ombudsman to intercede and compel members of the House of Representatives to attend the congressional sessions to ensure   deliberations on the Bangsa-moro Bill.

The civil society groups made the call to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales through a letter, signed by the leaders of the United Youth for Peace and Development Inc.; Moro Women Development and Cultural Center; Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives; the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace; Mindanao Humanitarian Development Initiatives; Kadtabanga Foundation Inc.; RKCSED Inc.; Reconciliatory Initiatives for Development Opportunities Inc.; Basilan Ulama Supreme Council; Ranao Institute for Peace and Development Inc.; Basulta Contact Group Inc.; Maguindanao Development Foundation Inc.; Lupah Sug Advocates for Peace and Development; Local Initiatives for Peace and Development Inc.; Noorus Salam Central Mindanao; Mindanao People’s Caucus; Matawkasi Inc.; Al-Amanah Humanitarian and Development Initiatives; Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives Inc.; Ittihadun-Nisa Foundation; Bangsamoro Business Club, and Action for Advancement and Development of Mindanao.

“It is a matter of public knowledge for the past several months since Congress formally opened in July, session after session was suspended and adjourned at the House of Representatives for lack of quorum. This can easily be verified with the official records and the live streaming coverage of the plenary session,” the groups said.

The group discussed how they tried to address the problem through “public statement, letters, door-to-door campaigns in their offices and appeal to the leadership of the House,” all to no avail.

“This chronic absenteeism surely erodes public trust and is a public display of neglect of duty,” the signatories said.

The House has failed to muster a quorum every time the Bangsamoro Bill is calendared to be taken up on the plenary floor.

The only time a quorum was achieved since sessions resumed in July was when the chamber tackled the proposed Salary Standardization Law.

“Are these honorable members of the House of Representatives exempt from basic government policy on reporting for duty?” asked the group.

“What is the policy for their absences? Can they still claim compensation even if they are absent from work?” 

The lawmakers seemed to be telling the Filipino people that “(we) are above the law” as they continue to turn the “legislative branch into a state of paralysis,” read the complaint letter.