Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday appealed to the Senate leadership to allow detained Senator Leila de Lima attend plenary sessions through teleconferencing since the chamber has already authorized the conduct of official proceedings virtually in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We appeal to the sense of compassion and understanding of the Senate leadership and our colleagues to allow Senator Leila de Lima to participate in plenary sessions through teleconferencing, which has a bipartisan support during this period of COVID-19 pandemic,” Pangilinan, who belongs to the Senate minority bloc with De Lima, said in a statement.
“Sen. Leila will be an added voice of knowledge and wisdom in discussions of measures. As can be attested by Senate records, she continues to file bills and resolutions and constantly issues hand-written statements on pressing issues of the day even while in detention,” he added.
During Monday’s session, 15 senators approved a resolution amending the Senate rules to authorize teleconferencing during plenary sessions and committee hearings amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in case of possible national emergencies in the future.
Under the amended rules, senators would be allowed to virtually sponsor committee reports, participate during interpellation and period of amendments as well as cast their votes.
“Sen. Leila should be allowed to continuously perform her mandate and serve the Filipino people,” Pangilinan went on.
Earlier, De Lima decried her continued exclusion from joining Senate sessions after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said she would not be allowed to participate in the chamber’s virtual sessions because she remains under the jurisdiction of the courts and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri likewise, cited a Supreme Court decision which ruled “that all prisoners whether under preventive detention or serving final sentence can not practice their profession nor engage in any business or occupation, or hold office, elective or appointive, while in detention.”
But Pangilinan argued that what the Supreme Court earlier ruled against is the physical presence of the person in detention in sessions and committee meetings.
“It did not prohibit a person from participation in sessions and hearings through electronic means,” he added.
Pangilinan said the case of De Lima was different from that of other detained lawmakers who were not allowed to attend sessions in the past.
De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been detained in Camp Crame since February 2017 over what she repeatedly said were “trumped-up” drug charges against her.
“Iba ang kaso ni Senator Leila. Una sa lahat, walang teleconferencing sa Senate Rules nung panahon na nakakulong sina Sen. [Antonio Trillanes IV]. Nais natin dumalo si Sen. Leila sa mga Senate session sa pamamagitan ng teleconferencing na aprubado na bilang bahagi ng Senate Rules,” Pangilinan said.
(The case of Senator Leila is different. First of all, teleconferencing was not allowed in the Senate Rules during the time Sen. Trillanes was detained. We want Sen. Leila to virtually attend Senate sessions through the recently amended Senate rules).
Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Resolution No. 51 seeking to allow De Lima to participate in plenary sessions at the Senate through teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other forms of remote or electronic communications.
“Kahit nasa kulungan ay masipag pa ring nagtra-trabaho si Senator Leila. Kung bibigyan sya ng pagkakataong makalahok sa mga Senate session via teleconferencing, mas marami pa ang kanyang magagawa,” Pangilinan said.
(Even in detention, Senator Leila has been doing her job. If we would allow her to join Senate session, she will could be more productive).
“Hayaan nating matupad ni Senator Leila ang kanyang mandato bilang Senador,” he added.
(Let’s allow Senator Leila fulfill her mandate as a senator).