House of Representatives. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said on Wednesday that the chamber should also convene on Thursday to have four sessions a week.
The goal is for the House to have enough time to pass important measures, such as the Bayanihan 3 proposal, before the sine die adjournment on June 4, Rodriguez said.
“I also agree with the suggestion of the Senate that we should also have sessions on Thursdays. In fact, it’s part of our supposed schedule,” said Rodriguez.
“Let us meet up to Thursdays because we are very short, three weeks, three days a week is short considering that we have the other items … So ako I am in favor of having a joint resolution that we add Thursdays. So we will have three Thursdays, three additional session days,” he added.
Alongside Bayanihan 3, plenary deliberations will also continue on the Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, which seeks to give the next Congress the flexibility to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
READ: Speaker hopes Cha-cha, Bayanihan 3 gets approved before June 4
Also up for approval are resolutions concurring with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamations granting amnesty to Muslim and communist rebels who lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.
READ: House panels concur with Duterte proclamations granting amnesty to ex-rebels
According to Rodriguez, since most of the hearings will be held through zoom, all attendees have to do is open their laptops.
“It’s not as difficult as before, physical presence. So all you have to do is open up your laptops and you’re in,” he said.
It came after senators on Monday agreed to hold plenary sessions on Thursdays to spend more time debating and voting on priority measures.
READ: Senators agree to hold more session days to pass priority bills