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THE absence of quorum has been a major headache of both houses of Congress and yesterday’s last session day was no exception.

The Senate failed to vote on the Committee of the Whole report censuring Sen. Manuel Villar for allegedly benefiting from the C-5 road extension project but had to adjourn session until May 31 as 12 senators were absent and only 11 were in attendance.

At the House, the blood pressure of Rep. Mark Cojuangco (NPC, Pangasinan), a son of business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, shot up after he opposed an effort to sabotage the last day of the plenary session by declaring the absence of a quorum.

"Mr. Speaker, there is a quorum in this House! You are going to do something that is unconstitutional!" Cojuangco, 52, repeatedly told deputy speaker for Luzon Eric Singson.

It was at this point that Cojuangco felt wobbly as his blood pressure shot up.

The session was suspended as the medical staff and his fellow congressmen attended to him.

Cojuangco was awaiting the opening of debates on his pet measure, the bill reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) which is yet to be approved on second reading.

Enrile said the absence of most senators was part of the effort to prevent the chamber from discussing the committee report.

Besides Villar, also absent were minority leader Aquilino Pimentel, Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano, Miriam Santiago, Joker Arroyo, Loren Legarda, Edgardo Angara, Ramon Revilla Jr., Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid and Panfilo Lacson, who is out of the country.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal suggested that those absent be arrested to force them to attend the session but this was rejected by Enrile.

The Senate adjourned but not without those present castigating the allies of Villar.

"The committee report stays in the record, supported by 11 senators who are present here today and I doubt whether they have one-half of that number if the voting happened," Enrile said.

"(Villar) is censured by 11 members of the Senate," he added.

Senate Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada agreed with Enrile, saying he lost respect for those who boycotted the session.

The minority bloc admitted boycotting the session but not to prevent the voting on the committee report.

Cayetano said their move was to prevent the railroading of two bills which will allegedly allow President Arroyo to get more campaign funds.

"We received information that they (majority) are planning to railroad two bills. Hindi sila galit dahil hindi kami nakita kung hindi dahil wala silang kita (income). Walang kinalaman ang aming pag-boykot hinggil sa C-5," Cayetano said after the session was adjourned.

The two bills are the National Telecommunications Commission bill which will extend the term of its officials to five years and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation bill which will give its officials six more years in office.

The NTC bill is in the period of interpellation while the Pagcor bill is set to be sponsored on the floor.

"These two agencies are funding mechanisms. If the officials of these agencies are loyal to Mrs. Arroyo they might be used to fund her in her next three years if she will be elected in the House of Representatives," Cayetano said.

He said Enrile, who he described as an Arroyo ally, is pushing for these two bills and would want them railroaded.

SUBVERT THE CHARTER

Rep. Pablo Garcia (Lakas-Kampi, Cebu) insisted that Singson, as presiding officer, can rule on the basis of the secretary general’s official count of warm bodies.

Sources said Garcia and allies wanted to prevent Celestino Martinez III of the Liberal Party from being sworn in as the representative of the fourth district of Cebu.

The Supreme Court, in its Jan. 13 decision, invalidated the seat of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Lakas in favor of Martinez. l Tribunal (HRET) earlier declared spoiled.

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