Lapid marked absent from Senate for 1 month — Enrile

Sen. Lito Lapid was marked as absent for one whole month after his request for a leave extension was rejected, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Tuesday. Enrile said Lapid originally asked for a leave of absence until November 19 but that he eventually asked that it be extended until December 19. "(I told him I) can't extend you on official time, you're on your own. You have to be marked absent," the Senate president said in a phone interview with reporters. Enrile said Lapid did not give a reason for his absence. Enrile admitted that he did not bother to ask the actor-turned-politician for an explanation. "I have not talked to him, I have not talked to his people. Palagi naman umaalis yan (He always goes on trips). He goes to America every recess," he said. Enrile, however, said he had heard news that Lapid might be sick overseas. Lapid's media relations officer Alex Marcelino confirmed that the senator went abroad for a checkup and to visit his son Mark's wife, former actress Tanya Garcia, who gave birth in the United States. Marcelino said Lapid is already in the country. He said the senator returned last December 18. Congress will resume its session on January 17. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV