MANILA, Philippines–Official attendance records posted on the website of the House of Representatives reveal that the top two absentees for 2014 are Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV. The former showed up for sessions only four times; the latter, only 7 times.
Aside from the 4 sessions in which he was actually present, the boxing legend was “deemed present” in 3 more sessions. This means that although he was, in reality, absent, the absences were “excused.”
House records likewise indicate the Pacquiao registered 25 days as “constituency work” and had two unexcused absences.
Ledesma – who is on his third-term as a member of the House – logged in seven days during which he was physically present. He reported 14 days of constituency work, and was recorded as having 13 days of absence without leave.
Rounding out the top five of top absentee lawmakers of 2014 are: Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (10 days present), Iloilo Rep. Hernan Biron Jr.(11 days present), and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (15 days present.)
Meanwhile, 65 out of 290 lawmakers, registered perfect attendance of 34 session days, covering the period of Jan. 20 to Dec. 17, 2014.