Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Drilon: Senate minority bloc failure to attend special session 'not a boycott'
Philippines
Drilon: Senate minority bloc failure to attend special session 'not a boycott'
Drilon: Senate minority bloc failure to attend special session 'not a boycott'
Published Mar 23, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday clarified that the minority bloc’s failure to attend the special session is not in any way a form of a boycott.
Drilon said members of the Senate minority bloc are strictly observing the 14-day self-quarantine prescribed by health authorities, since they have been exposed to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri who tested positive for COVID-19.
Senator Franklin Drilon (SONNY ANGARA OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Senate and House of Representatives convened on Monday morning (March 23) for a special session to discuss a bill that seeks to grant President Duterte the “necessary powers” to address the COVID-19 crisis.
“The absence of the minority bloc in the special session is not, repeat not, a boycott,” Drilon said in a text message to reporters. “We are on a 14-day self-quarantine as we were exposed on March 11 to Sen. Migz Zubiri who tested positive (of COVID).”
Knowing full well that the coronavirus disease is risky for those with underlying medical conditions and the elderly, Drilon said he personally decided to heed doctors’ advice.
“Moreover, because of my age and a pace-maker to regulate my heartbeat, I am a high-risk person who must take extra precaution,” he said.
Drilon said he requested Senate President Vicente Sotto III to allow them to participate through teleconferencing, but they were told the Senate has no facility to conduct it.
“We have requested for a session through teleconferencing, but SP Sotto informed us the Senate does not have that facility,” Drilon said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan likewise confirmed that he is currently on his 13th day of self-quarantine after being exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.
“Upon the advice of my doctor and consistent with the DOH strict protocols on persons under monitoring (PUM), I am constrained to stay at home in order to avoid the possibility of infecting others should I be positive yet asymptomatic. I have not been tested,” Pangilinan said.
According to Pangilinan, he experienced dry cough last Saturday and is now under observation. He said his younger sister, a doctor, advised him to monitor the cough as it may be viral or since he has a history of acid reflux, it may be an acid reflux-induced cough. “I have no fever. I have no cold,” according to the lawmaker.
“I am, however, in direct communication with a number of colleagues who in turn are in communication with senators in attendance so that we may introduce through them our proposed amendments,” he said.
Pangilinan said the minority bloc had requested the Senate leadership to suspend the rules so they can go into teleconferencing.
“We are working to ensure that the bill finally be approved into law will be an effective tool in defeating the pandemic now wreaking havoc on our nation and our people,” said the senator.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also confirmed she is still under self-quarantine which is set to end by March 25. She also asked to participate via teleconferencing. But since the Senate majority bloc was able to muster a quorum, she would just submit her amendments to the bill.
Other senators who opted to go on strict self-quarantine include Zubiri, Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Senators who were present at the Special Session included Sotto, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.,, Francis Tolentinto and Richard Gordon.
Senators Nancy Binay also said she is still on an extended quarantine period given because she was exposed twice to persons who have been confirmed positive of COVID-19.
“Having a pre-existing condition, I have been advised to avoid being exposed, as much as I do not wish to risk the health of my colleagues,” Binay said.
Sen. Imelda “Imee” Marcos also opted to follow her doctor’s advise and not attend the Special Session since she has a cough.The senators who were present at the special session were Sotto, Sherwin Gatchalian, Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla, Jr.,, Francis Tolentino, and Richard Gordon.
Senator Franklin Drilon (SONNY ANGARA OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Senate and House of Representatives convened on Monday morning (March 23) for a special session to discuss a bill that seeks to grant President Duterte the “necessary powers” to address the COVID-19 crisis.
“The absence of the minority bloc in the special session is not, repeat not, a boycott,” Drilon said in a text message to reporters. “We are on a 14-day self-quarantine as we were exposed on March 11 to Sen. Migz Zubiri who tested positive (of COVID).”
Knowing full well that the coronavirus disease is risky for those with underlying medical conditions and the elderly, Drilon said he personally decided to heed doctors’ advice.
“Moreover, because of my age and a pace-maker to regulate my heartbeat, I am a high-risk person who must take extra precaution,” he said.
Drilon said he requested Senate President Vicente Sotto III to allow them to participate through teleconferencing, but they were told the Senate has no facility to conduct it.
“We have requested for a session through teleconferencing, but SP Sotto informed us the Senate does not have that facility,” Drilon said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan likewise confirmed that he is currently on his 13th day of self-quarantine after being exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.
“Upon the advice of my doctor and consistent with the DOH strict protocols on persons under monitoring (PUM), I am constrained to stay at home in order to avoid the possibility of infecting others should I be positive yet asymptomatic. I have not been tested,” Pangilinan said.
According to Pangilinan, he experienced dry cough last Saturday and is now under observation. He said his younger sister, a doctor, advised him to monitor the cough as it may be viral or since he has a history of acid reflux, it may be an acid reflux-induced cough. “I have no fever. I have no cold,” according to the lawmaker.
“I am, however, in direct communication with a number of colleagues who in turn are in communication with senators in attendance so that we may introduce through them our proposed amendments,” he said.
Pangilinan said the minority bloc had requested the Senate leadership to suspend the rules so they can go into teleconferencing.
“We are working to ensure that the bill finally be approved into law will be an effective tool in defeating the pandemic now wreaking havoc on our nation and our people,” said the senator.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also confirmed she is still under self-quarantine which is set to end by March 25. She also asked to participate via teleconferencing. But since the Senate majority bloc was able to muster a quorum, she would just submit her amendments to the bill.
Other senators who opted to go on strict self-quarantine include Zubiri, Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Senators who were present at the Special Session included Sotto, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.,, Francis Tolentinto and Richard Gordon.
Senators Nancy Binay also said she is still on an extended quarantine period given because she was exposed twice to persons who have been confirmed positive of COVID-19.
“Having a pre-existing condition, I have been advised to avoid being exposed, as much as I do not wish to risk the health of my colleagues,” Binay said.
Sen. Imelda “Imee” Marcos also opted to follow her doctor’s advise and not attend the Special Session since she has a cough.The senators who were present at the special session were Sotto, Sherwin Gatchalian, Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla, Jr.,, Francis Tolentino, and Richard Gordon.