DISKARTE Para sa Pamilya at Bayan has expressed its full support for Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s Senate Resolution No. 751, describing the proposed measure as a necessary step toward strengthening accountability and reminding lawmakers that serving in the Senate is a full-time public responsibility, not an optional commitment.
The organization stressed that senators, like all other government officials and employees, must be held accountable for their attendance, performance and commitment to public service. It said prolonged unauthorized absences and the apparent neglect of legislative responsibilities should not be tolerated, particularly when taxpayers continue to shoulder the salaries, allowances, office expenses and personnel costs of elected officials.
DISKARTE emphasized that public office is a public trust and that those entrusted with legislative power must demonstrate the same discipline, dedication and sense of responsibility expected of ordinary Filipino workers.
While recognizing that senators may have legitimate reasons for occasional absences, the organization said there must be clear rules and appropriate sanctions for lawmakers who repeatedly fail to discharge their official duties without valid justification.
It added that holding a Senate seat carries obligations that cannot simply be set aside for personal, political or other professional commitments.
The organization also underscored that accountability should not be selective or dependent on political affiliation. Every senator, regardless of position, influence or political alliance, must be subject to the same standards of attendance and performance.
DISKARTE said Sotto’s initiative deserves serious consideration because it addresses a fundamental question in public service: If ordinary employees are expected to report for work and fulfill their responsibilities, why should elected officials be exempted from comparable standards of accountability?
Ultimately, DISKARTE said the proposed measure is not about targeting individual senators but about protecting the integrity of the Senate, respecting taxpayers’ money and restoring public confidence in the country’s legislative institutions.
For DISKARTE Para sa Pamilya at Bayan, a mandate from the people is not a privilege to be enjoyed without responsibility. It is a public obligation that must be fulfilled with integrity, diligence and accountability.
“For ordinary Filipino workers, reporting for work and fulfilling their responsibilities are daily necessities. Whether employed in government, private companies, factories, offices, or small businesses, they are expected to account for their attendance and productivity,” El Amigo, DISKARTE VP-SecGen and spokesperson, said Thursday.
“Public officials should likewise be held to clear standards of accountability to level the playing field,” Amigo added.
“A Senate seat is not merely an elected position or a political privilege. It carries significant legislative responsibilities, including participating in plenary sessions, deliberating on proposed laws, scrutinizing government expenditures, and representing the interests of millions of Filipinos.”
The use of public funds to maintain government offices, personnel, and institutional operations also makes accountability an important consideration. Taxpayers have a legitimate interest in knowing whether their elected representatives are performing the duties for which they were chosen.
DISKARTE, which stands for Disiplina, Integrity, Service, Kabuhayan, Aksyon, Reporma, Trust, and Empowerment, recognizes the importance of establishing definite guidelines that distinguish legitimate absences from prolonged and unjustified failure to perform official responsibilities.
Such guidelines should provide transparent procedures, reasonable thresholds for determining prolonged unauthorized absences, appropriate sanctions, and safeguards against arbitrary or politically motivated disciplinary action.
The organization also emphasizes that accountability must apply regardless of political affiliation, position, influence, or personal circumstances.
Being elected to public office should never be interpreted as an exemption from institutional rules or the obligation to serve the public.
Ultimately, the discussion surrounding Senate Resolution No. 751 presents an opportunity to strengthen public confidence in government institutions and reinforce the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust.
For DISKARTE, public service must always come with responsibility, transparency, and accountability. The Filipino people deserve representatives who are not only present in name but also actively performing the duties of their office.
“DISKARTE PARA SA PAMILYA AT BAYAN — hindi basta salita, kundi paninindigan para sa mamamayan.
Serbisyo, hindi pribilehiyo.
Pananagutan, hindi palusot.
Taumbayan, hindi pulitika ang unahin!
Laban, BAYAN! 🇵🇭”
