Senator with the Most Number of Absences Revealed in Recent Report
SENATOR – The senator with the most number of absences was revealed in the recent report. It was disclosed that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has the worst attendance in that Senate.
Senate records reveal that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who previously criticized President Bongbong Marcos for skipping the 2016 vice presidential debate, now holds the record for the highest number of absences among current members.
According to the Senate Legislative Journal Service, Cayetano was only present for 36 out of the 54 regular plenary sessions from July 24, 2023, to February 21 of the current year. During this period, he was late on 16 occasions and absent four times due to official trips abroad.
Based on a report from Inquirer, in 2017, Alan Peter Cayetano also had the highest number of absences, attending only 31 session days from July 25, 2016, to May 31, 2017, primarily because of official trips. Even when present, Cayetano frequently arrived late or after the roll call on more than 10 occasions.
Former lawmaker and boxer Manny Pacquiao, both as Sarangani representative and senator, is also noted for his frequent absences. Senator Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter’s sister and colleague, arrived late 16 times during Monday to Wednesday sessions but was absent only once in the second regular session of the 19th Congress.
Senator Nancy Binay, who chairs the Senate ethics committee, comes second to Alan Peter Cayetano with six absences. Senators Francis Escudero and Juan Edgardo Angara missed the plenary sessions five times each, with Angara forgoing three session days due to his role in the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 national budget.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri maintained a perfect attendance record, while two of his deputies, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, along with nine other colleagues, were present for all 54 session days.
“In my long years as a public servant, I have learned this one important thing: True leadership starts by showing up for the important work for the people. And here in the Senate, we take that to heart,” Zubiri said in a statement.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who consistently attended all sessions, highlighted the significance of being actively engaged during plenary meetings to voice opinions, address issues, and suggest revisions to proposed legislation.
Similarly, other senators who maintained a flawless attendance record include Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher “Bong” Go, Risa Hontiveros, Robinhood Padilla, Ramon Revilla Jr., Raffy Tulfo, and Cynthia Villar.
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