She may be one of the most prolific legislators, and certainly the most quotable, but Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago also had the most absences in the Senate of the 16th Congress.
According to an Interaksyon report, Santiago only attended 94 of 214 session days. Santiago has had to go on medical leave for hyperthyroidism. Despite this, Santiago has consistently been topping the list of senators with the most bills and resolutions filed.
Also in the Top 5 senators with the most absences were resigned senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who attended 98 session days and his rival Senator Aquilino Pimentel III who attended 102. Pimentel took his seat at the Senate in 2010 after the Senate Electoral Tribunal decided a 2007 electoral protest against Zubiri in his favor.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was a fugitive from justice for more than a year, attended 131 session days.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, detained until he was granted amnesty for his involvement in mutinies against the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, attended 135 session days.
—
Photo: The Senate session hall/Skylab iss
