Lazatin discloses Congress attendance

ANGELES CITY -- The camp of first district Representative Carmelo Lazatin revealed Lazatin's comprehensive attendance record in the House of Representatives from July 2010 to December 2012, in response to allegations from the camp of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan that the congressman is among the top absentees in Congress.

In a certification signed by House of Representatives Secretary General Marilyn Barua-Yap dated January 21 2013, it was revealed that for the third regular session of the 15th Congress, which covers the period from July 23, 2012 to December 19, 2012, Lazatin has only incurred five absences without notice in Congress.

"For lack of legitimate issues to throw at Congressman Lazatin, the camp of Mayor Pamintuan resorts to petty tactics and black propaganda," said IC Calaguas, Lazatin's chief of staff.

"The lackeys of Mayor Pamintuan even went as far as to take pictures of the congressman's supposedly empty office, even when there are no sessions in Congress."

"It speaks volumes about Congressman Lazatin's flawless political record when the biggest issues his opponents can throw at him are baseless charges of frequent absences and criticizing the congressman for his age," added Calaguas.

The certification from the House of Representatives also lists Lazatin's attendance for the first and second regular sessions of the 15th Congress, covering the period of July 26, 2010 to June 8, 2011 and July 25, 2011 to June 6, 2012, respectively, and states that Lazatin only incurred a total of three absences without notice.

For the third regular session, Lazatin incurred 16 absences with notice used for constituency work, particularly when Lazatin participated in relief operations for typhoon victims.