Ombudsman asked to intercede on House quorum woes

QUEZON CITY – Civil society leaders asked the Ombudsman yesterday to intercede and make members of the House of Representatives attend congressional sessions, in particular to ensure deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). It is a matter of public knowledge for the past several months since Congress formally opened in July, sessions after sessions were 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,” said members of civil society in an official correspondence addressed to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.In the letter, 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 [H]ouse” but to no avail. This chronic absenteeism surely erodes public trust and is a public display of neglect of duty,” the signatories argued.The House of Representatives has failed to muster a quorum every time the proposed BBL 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 from basic government policy on reporting for duty? What is the policy for their absences? Can they still claim compensation even if they are absent from work?” asked the group.Moreover, the fate of the BBL is no better at the Senate with debates moving at turtle speed. For instance, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has been debating Senator Ferdinand Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for days on the definition of the term Bangsamoro and its implication to the various faiths in the autonomous region. Marcos, moreover, is also guilty of not always being present during BBL deliberation days.According to the complaint letter, the problem, or the lawmakers for that matter, 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”.Signatory to the letter includeand United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. Moro Women Development and Cultural Center Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initatives 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.