Atienza wants live coverage of House sessions

Inside Congress. The public would soon be able to watch in real time what their elected representatives are doing in Congress once a pending bill is passed and enacted into law.

MANILA, Philippines—The public would soon be able to watch in real time what their elected representatives are doing in Congress once a pending bill is passed and enacted into law.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza is seeking the approval of a measure that would require the government’s TV station, the People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTV 4) to air live all Congress’ sessions and committee hearings in their entirety.

The bill also states that the proceedings must be shown on TV without editing or commentary.

Congress usually holds sessions and committee hearings from Mondays to Wednesdays.

In his explanatory note to the bill, Atienza said such a move would promote transparency and accountability in government.

“The people of the Philippines are demanding transparency from their government officials. Officials whom they elected, and who need to make an accounting of their actions while in government,” he said.

He said Filipinos must have this kind of “unprecedented” access to their officials, which is similar to that provided in the United States by C-SPAN or Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network, a private cable television network.

Should Atienza’s bill be approved and Congress’ proceedings televised, viewers would be able to see who among the legislators are absent and who are not paying attention to the proceedings, for instance.

Atienza also sought the approval of the Freedom of Information bill, which has faced delays in the House of Representatives.