COVID-19 impact: Congress mulls change in legislative calendar

MANILA, Philippines — The leaders of the House and Senate will discuss the possibility of changing the legislative calendar if necessary as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis continues.

During the virtual meeting of the House’s Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC), Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said there had been a communication already with Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri regarding the possible change in the legislative calendar.

Currently, the Senate and the House are on their Lenten break and are set to resume session on May 4.

“Two weeks ago, Senator Migz Zubiri, the majority leader, already communicated that let’s play it by week, kung kaya May 4. But let me assure the public that if ever we move the calendar so that we can be more responsible and practice social distancing, we will tackle that week by week,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said they are also ready to hold any special session, if necessary.

“All of us a grappling what will be the new normal, or do we go back on May 4 or virtual pa rin muna. That’s being discussed but let me assure you, whatever is best for the nation, however way we can help,” Cayetano said.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, said that Congress is doing everything they can to fast-track measures and initiatives in case they resume on May 4.

As of April 14, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has soared to 5,223, with the death toll reaching 335.