Online voting eyed for Congress’ special session

The House of Representatives is open to holding a special session to tackle measures meant to curb the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including amending its rules to allow online voting amid the Luzon-wide lockdown, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday.

“We are willing to have special sessions to come up with a feasible and pragmatic economic package. We can adapt special rules like online voting if necessary, and practice social distancing measures to accommodate all our members, including those who are currently in self-quarantine,” he said in a Viber message.

According to Cayetano, the special session may tackle the passage of another supplemental budget for measures meant to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

It can also be used to pass a measure that will fund a “comprehensive economic stimulus package” to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism and informal sector, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises. —Melvin Gascon