No work, no pay policy for solons pushed

Senatorial candidates have expressed a "no work, no pay" policy for lawmakers who fail to show up for work, including imposing fines for their absences.

During the "Paninindigan" forum of GMA News, Team PNoy senatorial candidates Bam Aquino said being a member of the Senate is serious responsibility, and its members were expected at the minimum, to attend hearings and sessions.

He said failure to meet this most basic requirement must entail penalties, such as fines that become higher as the absences worsen.

He added the issue boiled down to leadership and governance, and appealed to people to vote those who were ready to work and were dedicated to their jobs.

Another senatorial candidate, independent Teddy Casiño, said imposition of fines would bring the people's attention to the problem of absenteeism.

Meanwhile, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate Richard Gordon said it would be better to "shame" these lawmakers for their delinquency. He said voters should not choose candidates that would not give their all to their sworn duties.

Gordon added that the real problem was the inability of people to distinguish between "showbiz-politics" type candidates and candidates promoting "substance-based" politics.

"That's the reason for all the absences," he said. "People don't get quality legislation because they elect poor-quality people based on popularity."

[With report and photo from Inquirer]

Posted in: 2013 Elections,Bam Aquino,GMA News,GMA-7,nation,News,Senate,Senate Elections