MANILA, Philippines — In the wake of the enhanced community quarantine triggered by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, senators took advantage of digital means to catch up and discuss their legislative agenda for when session resumes on May 4.
Senator Sonny Angara on Monday shared a photo taken by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri of the online meeting among senators more than a week before they are set to convene for the resumption of session.
“Zooming w/ the senators #newnormal,” Angara’s tweet read.
Zooming w/ the senators #newnormal pic.twitter.com/CkltxpK9i6
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) April 27, 2020
Aside from Angara and Zubiri, who both recovered from COVID-19, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto were among the senators who joined the video conference.
Also in the Zoom meeting were Senators Nancy Binay, Christopher “Bong” Go, Pia Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Joel Vllanueva, Imee Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, and Cynthia Villar.
Zooming w/ the senators #newnormal pic.twitter.com/CkltxpK9i6
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) April 27, 2020
In a message to reporters, Villanueva said the discussion among the senators focused on what resolutions and bills would be prioritized.
“We’ll be there May 4 (to convene), may ilang mga (there are matters that are still) for discussion so I can’t say what would happen next,” he said.
“Majority believes we should consider amending the rules to pave the way to conduct business even if not physically present,” he added.
Hours before this, 15 senators filed and signed a resolution seeking to allow the Senate to conduct its plenary sessions and committee hearings via teleconferencing as Metro Manila remains under an enhanced community quarantine alongside several “high risk” provinces.
“The imposition and extension of an enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region and specified provinces, until the 15th May 2020, and its attendant limitations should not prevent Congress from exercising its Constitutional mandate to enact laws and authorize appropriations, especially those necessary for the national government to respond to this national emergency the safety and well-being of the affected population,” the resolution read.