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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leader ditches social distancing in the middle of hearing

House leader ditches social distancing in the middle of hearing

Published Nov 25, 2020 01:26 pm

Poor Internet connection reportedly forced a House leader to defy social distancing rules during a Zoom-based hearing Wednesday morning.

Manila Rep. John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, seemingly had a difficult time hearing and understanding the discussion in the virtual hearing, which delved into a substitute bill proposing to redefine the crime of game-fixing and prescribing stiffer penalties therefor.

(Photo via Ellson Quismorio / MANILA BULLETIN)

This resulted in the rather lengthy discussion on a relatively brief measure. House Bill (HB) Nos. 1226 and 5281--the bases of the substitute measure--were only five pages long each.

Committee Secretary (ComSec) Esthenellie Solis-Allaga told the attendees in the hearing that Nieto was experiencing poor Internet connection. In comparison, Allaga's connection was spotless.

A few minutes later, Nieto, wearing a face mask, showed up on the same screen as his ComSec, suggesting that they were within the same vicinity. At that time, Allaga didn't have a face mask on.

(Photo via Ellson Quismorio / MANILA BULLETIN)

But now that they were literally shoulder to shoulder with each other, Allaga was forced to wear a face mask of her own. They did not wear face shields.

In the House Committee set-up, the ComSec serves as the right-hand man of the presiding officer (usually the chairman). It is the job of the ComSec to keep tabs on the agenda and general flow of the meeting.

Nieto, a forner movie and TV actor, wrapped up the hearing at past 1 p.m. after carrying a motion to approve the substitute bill. The hearing began at around 10:30 a.m.

The House of Representatives adopted virtual hearings as part of the new normal during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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