MANILA – House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos has filed a bill seeking to impose a strict “no work, no pay” compensation scheme for members of Congress to curb absenteeism, strengthen accountability, and protect public funds.

Marcos filed House Bill No. 7432, or the “No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act,” which proposes to link the salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives directly to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official legislative duties.

“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,” Marcos said in the bill’s explanatory note.

He said this practice has fueled public concern “over absenteeism, lack of accountability and wastage of taxpayer funds.”

The measure aims to ensure “that public funds are spent only when these elected officials fulfill their duties,” Marcos said, adding that tying compensation to actual work “promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in governance.”

Under the bill, lawmakers will be compensated only for days when they are present and performing official legislative work, including 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, while valid absences will be recognized, including illness certified by a licensed physician, authorized official representation, official travel or mission approved by chamber leadership, and approved leaves of absence.

The measure 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 promote transparency, the bill mandates daily attendance monitoring by the secretariats of both chambers and requires attendance records to be made publicly accessible, with compensation released only based on verified presence.

Addressing constitutional concerns, Marcos said that “no less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself provides for the statutory regulation of the official compensation for Members of Congress,” noting that their salaries “shall be determined by law.”

The bill 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 bill’s swift enactment.