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The House Secretariat, through Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, reminded representatives to observe the proper dress code during sessions and committee meetings, or they would be marked absent and lose their salary for the day, reports Saksi. According to Section 92 of the House rules, "Members shall wear proper attire which is Barong Filipino or coat and tie for men, and Filipina dress or business suit for women."
The Manila Bulletin reports that the advisory came after the secretariat saw at least five lawmakers underdressed during a House session. They were spotted wearing short-sleeved Barong Filipino and long-sleeved polo shirts. Among the representatives seen were Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco and PBA Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar.
In Saksi’s report, Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez quipped, "What I notice is that dresses now are getting lower here [points to his chest] and upper here [points to his legs]. Sana buhay pa ako [’pag] nagtagpo ’yang dalawang ’yan." In the Manila Bulletin report, Suarez said a congresswoman wore Louis Vuitton jeans in the last Congress.
Zambales 1st District Rep. Mitos Magsaysay told Saksi that some congresswomen wear pashminas over their spaghetti-strapped tops. At times, though, the pashminas slip off. "Saan daw ba kami pupunta, sa Kongreso o sa party?"
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