MANILA, Philippines — Senate members consciously made the effort to practice social distancing when it came to their traditional “class photo” at the opening of the second regular session of the 18th Congress on Monday.
Image: Office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Aside from physical distancing, 17 out of the 24 senators also complied with COVID-19 guidelines as they were seen wearing face masks. Five out of the 17 senators, meanwhile, were also spotted donning visors.
Image: Office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Those who were physically present at the session were Senators Grace Poe, Risa Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Sonny Angara, Lito Lapid, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Sherwin Gatchalian.
Meanwhile, six senators will join the session via Zoom, namely: Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Richard Gordon, Imee Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, Cynthia Villar, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
The Senate opened its second regular session of the 18th Congress on Monday, hours ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Due to circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, only eight senators will be physically attending Duterte’s Sona later on.