Senate committee of the whole to tackle COVID-19 updates

Sotto opens plenary session: Senate President Vicente Sotto III formally opens Monday’s session, May 4, 2020, after a two-month break. File photo / Senate PRIB / Henzberg Austria

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate has decided to constitute into the committee of the whole starting Monday to listen to the government’s updates on its efforts to address the coronavirus disease pandemic.

The decision was reached during Wednesday’s session of the Senate with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III tasked to head  the committee of the whole.

As chair of the the committee, Sotto would preside over its hearings and meetings.

First in the agenda of the committee when it convenes on Monday is to send out invites to members and officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the government’s economic managers.

As of posting, senators are still mapping out details on how they would go about the proceeding.

The convening of the committee of the whole was first broached by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto during Tuesday’s session.

“Making this recommendation would be relevant to the current problems that we are facing. I’m sure the public is waiting for the response of the Senate and what we can do to help the executive branch respond to the crisis,” Recto said partly in Filipino.

JPV