MANILA -- Absentee lawmaker Julio Ledesma IV (first district, Negros Occidental) finally made his presence felt at the House of Representatives when he showed up at the session hall Tuesday.
Ledesma, husband of actress Assunta de Rossi, explained that since the 15th Congress opened, he has already started working inside his office in Batasan Complex but admitted that he did not attend the sessions inside the plenary hall.
"You can be here naman kahit wala sa floor. It is just like you are in an official trip but you can be present and not on the floor. I am in the house. If my presence is required on
the floor, I will be on the floor," he told reporters.
The lawmaker added that he even rushed to attend the 4 p.m. session Tuesday explaining why he was wearing a short-sleeved barong which is not the proper attire according to the House
rules.
Congressmen who defy the dress code are deemed absent prompting Ledesma to change his barong after the roll call. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)