Senator Sotto seeks changes to Senate rules to address prolonged absences

Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III has filed Senate Resolution No. 751, seeking clear mechanisms and rules to address prolonged unauthorized absences by senators, noting a policy gap in existing Senate regulations that leaves absenteeism without clear sanctions.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Sotto urged the Senate Committee on Rules to study and establish internal guidelines to handle extended absences that prevent lawmakers from fulfilling their legislative duties.

"There is a policy gap as regards the possible sanction on a member of the Senate with prolonged unauthorized absence rendering them unable to participate in major legislative functions," the resolution stated.

Sotto pointed out that prolonged absenteeism has sparked public concern and led to several complaints filed before the Senate Committee on Ethics over recent months.

"Such absenteeism and neglect of duty is deemed a waste of taxpayer funds and has caused public clamor over the past months," the resolution read, emphasizing that public office remains a public trust and that lawmakers are directly accountable to taxpayers who fund their salaries and allowances.

While the proposed measure does not prescribe specific penalties, it directs the Committee on Rules to review current chamber procedures and formalize a structured framework to address cases of prolonged unauthorized absence, ensuring high standards of public service.

-Paraluman News, from a report of Wilnard Bacelonia for the Philippine News Agency