House bill seeks to mandate 'no work, no pay' scheme in Congress
A new bill filed in the House of Representatives seeks to implement a "No work, no pay" scheme in Congress.
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos filed House Bill No. 7432, also known as the "No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act," which aims to mandate the compensation scheme to boost accountability and integrity in public service.
In his explanatory note, the presidential son noted that members of Congress are currently compensated regardless of attendance or participation.
"This has led to public concern over absenteeism, lack of accountability, and wastage of taxpayer funds," he stated.
Under the proposal, salary and other emoluments will be tied to attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other official functions. This would cover any duly elected senator or member of the House of Representatives.
The measure would still recognize valid reasons for absence, like illness or official representation duties, official travel mission as authorized by the House Speaker, and approved leaves.
The secretariat of the Senate and House will maintain daily attendance records, and the lawmakers' compensation will be computed and disbursed based on them. These records will also be publicized to ensure transparency.
According to the bill, lawmakers who attempt to falsify records will face penalties, including suspension or expulsion.
House members and Senators are assigned Salary Grade 31, which includes a monthly wage ranging from P300,961 to P342,310 in 2026, as per Department of Budget and Management National Budget Circular No. 601.
Meanwhile, in the upper chamber, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said on Jan. 27 that he and Senate President Tito Sotto are mulling implementing a "no work, no pay" scheme for Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, who has not appeared in Senate since November.
"Baka i-suspend o tigil 'yung sweldo," he said. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV seeks to file an ethics complaint against Dela Rosa over his absences.
In December 2025, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stated that there wasn't any "no work, no pay" policy being implemented in the Senate.
"Sa pagkakaalam ko ah, walang ganyan na application, kaya dapat nga magpadala ng excuse letter kung bakit 'di ka makakapasok, kung ano ang nagiging problema para matingnan kung ano ang estado mo," he told DZMM Teleradyo.
Dela Rosa has not attended a Senate session since Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the International Criminal Court had allegedly issued an arrest warrant against the senator.