Senate sessions resume May 4, Monday
Published May 2, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Terrazola
Senators will convene at the Senate on Monday, May 4, for the resumption of their session despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday maintained that the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas cannot postpone the scheduled resumption of the regular session of Congress on Monday.
Senate of the Philippines building (Senate of the Philippines official Facebook)
He said that more than 12 senators are expected to be physically present in the plenary session to adopt the Resolution No. 372. The measure which would amend the Senate's rules to allow the holding of physical and virtual sessions.
The Senate rules require the majority of the 24-member chamber to be present to form a quorum before its members can open discussions in plenary. Sotto said senators, even during a national health crisis, cannot shirk from their mandate, adding that people need to be assured that the government is working to help them survive and recover from the COVID-19 outbreak.
"More than anytime, we need to let our people know and feel that we are here to serve them and look out for their welfare," he said. The Senate chief did not agree with the suggestion of Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to conduct their May 4 session thru teleconferencing.
He said this is to prevent some "wise guy" from questioning the passage of controversial bills before the Supreme Court based on the legality of the session. "I'm just playing it safe that we will not violate our rules, or the Constitution, or tradition...Because sometimes traditions are stronger than rules," he said in an interview with radio DWIZ.
Once the resolution is approved, senators can attend sessions and hold hearings without being physically present at the session hall or the committee rooms. Sotto said senators who will work from home will have to inform the Senate Secretariat that they will participate in the session online, so their presence can be recorded.
Members who will be on teleconference can sponsor committee reports, participate during the interpellation and period of committee and individual amendments, and even cast their votes. Those who wish to deliver a privilege speech, however, should do so at the Senate session hall, Sotto said.
Meanwhile, the Senate will continue to operate with a skeleton workforce and staff that do not have any participation in the sessions will continue to work from home. Work schedule would also be cut short, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sotto said senators, their staff and all employees who will report for work will go through health protocols for precaution. "I am fully aware of the concerns of Senate employees about going to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to assure everyone that necessary health safeguards will be enforced and social distancing and hygiene protocols will be strictly followed during the sessions,” he said.
Senate of the Philippines building (Senate of the Philippines official Facebook)
He said that more than 12 senators are expected to be physically present in the plenary session to adopt the Resolution No. 372. The measure which would amend the Senate's rules to allow the holding of physical and virtual sessions.
The Senate rules require the majority of the 24-member chamber to be present to form a quorum before its members can open discussions in plenary. Sotto said senators, even during a national health crisis, cannot shirk from their mandate, adding that people need to be assured that the government is working to help them survive and recover from the COVID-19 outbreak.
"More than anytime, we need to let our people know and feel that we are here to serve them and look out for their welfare," he said. The Senate chief did not agree with the suggestion of Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to conduct their May 4 session thru teleconferencing.
He said this is to prevent some "wise guy" from questioning the passage of controversial bills before the Supreme Court based on the legality of the session. "I'm just playing it safe that we will not violate our rules, or the Constitution, or tradition...Because sometimes traditions are stronger than rules," he said in an interview with radio DWIZ.
Once the resolution is approved, senators can attend sessions and hold hearings without being physically present at the session hall or the committee rooms. Sotto said senators who will work from home will have to inform the Senate Secretariat that they will participate in the session online, so their presence can be recorded.
Members who will be on teleconference can sponsor committee reports, participate during the interpellation and period of committee and individual amendments, and even cast their votes. Those who wish to deliver a privilege speech, however, should do so at the Senate session hall, Sotto said.
Meanwhile, the Senate will continue to operate with a skeleton workforce and staff that do not have any participation in the sessions will continue to work from home. Work schedule would also be cut short, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sotto said senators, their staff and all employees who will report for work will go through health protocols for precaution. "I am fully aware of the concerns of Senate employees about going to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to assure everyone that necessary health safeguards will be enforced and social distancing and hygiene protocols will be strictly followed during the sessions,” he said.