(Eagle News) — I am the most productive senator.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had this to say on Wednesday, June 6, when asked to comment on his “poor” attendance in the 2nd regular session of the 17th Congress.
Trillanes had the second-least number of sessions attended, with 52 of 79 sessions attended, followed only by detained Senator Leila de Lima, who attended none.
“Ang hindi narereport is number one ako bilang most productive senator dito sa Congress na ito. So, ‘di ba yun ang mas importante kaysa naka-attend ka nga diyan, araw-araw kang uma-attend pero wala ka namang ginagawa,” he said.
He said he was the “most productive” in terms of number of bills filed.
He said he was also “in the top five” in terms of the number of sponsored bills.
“So, ginagawa ko ‘yung trabaho ko,” he added.
“Given the opportunity na imbestigahan ‘yung mga kalabisan nitong administrasyon na ito, ginagawa ko. Sa ganitong klaseng administrasyon na baluktot, ‘yun ang importanteng trabaho ng Senado [ma] apparently hindi na namin ginagawa,” he added.
“Covered by travel authority”
Trillanes added that some of the “absences” were not considered absences as they were “covered by a travel authority.”
The senator, a critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was on official mission 23 times, of which 20 were abroad.
He also has four absences, and was late 26 times.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, and Senator Panfilo Lacson registered a perfect attendance.