Sotto says ECQ can’t stop May 4 session, cites constitutional mandate

MANILA, Philippines —Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday insisted that senators should still be physically present when the chamber convenes for the resumption of its regular session on May 4.

Sotto issued the statement following Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s suggestion to open the chamber’s regular session on May 4 via teleconferencing.

Drilon explained they should no longer physically convene because it would be “very risky.”

“The 4 May session should be held through teleconference, videoconference, or other electronic means. The convening and conduct of the May 4 session in a customary manner is a high risk,” Drilon said in a statement.

Should lawmakers press ahead with the May 4 session, Drilon said it would be considered as a mass gathering, which is prohibited as Metro Manila and high-risk provinces remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.

But in a message to reporters, Sotto maintained that quarantine measures enforced by the country’s COVID-19 task force could not supersede the Senate’s constitutional mandate.

“Tuloy kami. (We will proceed). I received his (Drilon) letter to me but I already said that the (Inter-agency Task Force) directive cannot supersede a Constitutional mandate,” the Senate President said.

Under Senate rules, a quorum can only be declared if at least 12 senators are present in the plenary hall. A quorum is needed before senators can open discussions on the floor.

“We are authorized by the Consti(tution) to formulate our rules, therefore we may do so after we convene on Monday and agree to what the majority decides,” he added.

Due to restrictions triggered by the current pandemic, 15 senators signed and filed a resolution that would amend Senate rules allowing the upper chamber to conduct plenary sessions and hearings via teleconference.

The Senate is set to adopt the resolution next week so that teleconferencing for plenary sessions and hearings could be allowed.

“Some wise guy in the future can question our proceedings if I agree to Frank’s proposition,” Sotto said.

“We will allow virtual attendance and participation after Monday…I will be there and most of the senators,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the ECQ in Metro Manila and other “high-risk” areas until May 15 while a general community quarantine (GCQ) has been imposed on moderate to low-risk provinces beginning Friday.

To date, Philippine health authorities have so far confirmed 8,488 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Of the number, 568 have died while 1,043 have so far recovered.