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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Goodbye Zoom: House members ordered to get 'physical' in plenary sessions, committee hearings

Goodbye Zoom: House members ordered to get 'physical' in plenary sessions, committee hearings

Published Jul 28, 2023 05:52 am
The House plenary hall (Contributed photo)




Members of the House of Representatives can no longer attend plenary sessions and committee hearings by virtual means come Monday, July 31. This, after the office of the Speaker Martin Romualdez issued on July 25 Memorandum Order No.19-019, which tackled the use of electronic platforms in the conduct of plenary sessions and committee hearings. "Plenary sessions shall be conducted face to face. In line with this, every member (congressman) shall be present in all sessions of the House as provided under Section 71 of the House rules," read the memo. "Committee meetings, conferences, or hearings shall be conducted face to face," it added. These directives were "in view of Proclamation No,297, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., lifting the state of public emergency throughout the Philippines due to Covid-19, and in accordance with the rules of the House of Representatives". "The members of the House are enjoined to physically attend the plenary sessions and committee hearings in order for them to be able to partiicpate and vote on any motion during the proceedings," the memo reiterated. "This order shall take effect on Monday, July 31, 2023," it read. The House began to use teleconferencing as a way to continue its legislative functions in early 2020, when the deadly Covid-19 first spread in the country. Zoom became the solons' preferred teleconferencing platform. Plenary sessions in the lower chamber are conducted from Monday to Wednesday, while committee meetings, briefings, and investigation may take place on any week day. The Romualdez memo provides that the livestreaming of plenary sessions through the official online accounts of the House of Representatives--an innovation during the pandemic--shall remain. It noted that the Speaker may still authorize the conduct of committee meetings, conferences, or hearings through electronic platforms in some cases. "Legislative documents, such as the order of business, calendar of business, House journal, committee reports, and bills for consideration on third reading shall continue to be sent to the members' official email addresses and the 19th Congress all members Viber group. The electronic filing of House bills, resolutions, committee reports and other measures shall also continue," it further stated.

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