Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao were among the congressmen who registered the most number of absences during the first regular session of the 15th Congress, data from the House secretary general showed.
Laguna Rep. Maria Evita Arago topped the list of frequent absentees, attending 30 out of the 73 days during the first regular session. She said it was because of her ?very difficult pregnancy.”
?I had a very difficult pregnancy with threatened my baby?s welfare, so I followed my doctor?s orders to refrain from physical activity and was ordered to take a leave of absence,” she told GMA News Online in a text message.
She even sent a medical certificate from her gynecologist, showing that she was diagnosed with ?threatened abortion.”
Arago added that she is ?determined” to attend sessions more often now that she has already given birth.
Arroyo, meanwhile, came second to Arago in terms of the number of session days he was absent. The eldest son of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo only attended 38 out of the 70 sessions since he was sworn into office last year.
