Senate session resumes Wednesday afternoon; Enrile hopes a quorum will be met

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. SENATE POOL

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Senate will still hold session on Wednesday amid inclement weather and massive flooding all over Metro Manila, a senate spokesman said.

In a text message sent to reporters, Senate Secretary Emma Lirio Reyes said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will not call off sessions for Wednesday even though the House of Representatives has suspended their work.

Reyes clarified, however, that senators, staff and personnel who cannot make it to work due to the torrential rains and deep flooding in many parts of Metro Manila will be excused.

“JPE (Senator Enrile’s initials) said he will see if the Senate can muster a quorum at 3 p.m. but he would like Senators who have no problem going to the Senate to please be present for session,” Reyes said in the text message.

Meanwhile, chairs of committees with hearings set for Wednesday may cancel their respective schedules at their discretion, she added.

The Senate Committee on Finance’s sub-committee suspended at around 9 a.m. two hearings scheduled for Wednesday: hearing on the 2013 budget of the Commission on Elections and; hearing on the proposed 2013 budget for the Office of the President, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, and the Presidential management staff.