The House of Representatives on Monday failed to convene in plenary session because it was short of two members to meet the quorum.

Only 131 members were present. With the entry of new party-list representatives, the new quorum in the lower House is 133.

This is the second consecutive session day that the House failed to deliberate on pending bills and measures because of absences.

Last Wednesday, the House plenary also adjourned early with only 100 congressmen were present.

Aside from the reported 50 congressmen, including House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who flew to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton match, about 25 congressmen are attending the Palarong Pambansa in Leyte, and another 10 reportedly joined President Arroyo's trip to Cairo. 

According to his media officer, Nograles may be back on Wednesday. 

Earlier, fellow congressmen chided the Pacquiao fans in the lower House for leaving their jobs in Congress just to watch his match in Las Vegas. 

Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson called for the passage of his pending bill seeking a three-year travel ban because of the global economic crisis. Although the congressmen may be paying for their own trips, they should not flaunt their wealth when their countrymen are suffering because of the global financial crisis, he said.

“We do not begrudge them [for wanting to watch the match]. But the problem is they are leaving their work here,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño earlier said.

 But Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez said there is a good side to the absence of the administration congressmen.  

“In a way, it’s a good thing. There will be no [discussion on] Charter change. It’s a good respite,” he said last week. 
 
On Monday, more solons also called on their colleagues who left the country to skip sessions for at least one week for fear that they could spread the swine flu virus in the lower chamber.