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Congress holds first-ever ‘hybrid’ session

Aika Rey, Mara Cepeda

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Congress holds first-ever ‘hybrid’ session
The two chambers of Congress take different routes in adopting teleconferencing as part of their proceedings

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time, both chambers of Congress on Monday, May 4, formally adopted “hybrid” sessions where some lawmakers are in the session hall while others are present via online means.

The chambers, however, took different routes in adopting teleconferencing as part of their proceedings.

In Pasay City, the Senate first passed Senate Resolution No. 372, a resolution on teleconferencing during national emergencies. Senators who joined the plenary session online were acknowledged only after the resolution was passed. 

At Batasan, the House, through separate motions, formally adopted new policies allowing members to participate in all proceedings through electronic means such as email, teleconferencing, and messaging apps.

Unlike the Senate, however, the lower chamber found no need to adopt a resolution to formalize their teleconferencing procedures.

‘Resolution needed’

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said that the upper chamber would have to pass a resolution to amend the Senate rules, to prevent anyone from questioning their proceedings. 

RAPID TEST. Senate President Vicente Sotto III undergoes a rapid coronavirus test before the start of the session on Monday, May 4, 2020. Photo by Louie Sauro Millang/Senate PRIB

On Monday, the chamber implemented strict health protocols such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and coronavirus rapid testing for all senators and Senate staff.

Panels were also installed at the Senate lobby to separate the security personnel from those entering the building. Members of the media were barred from attending the session to limit the number of people at the Senate.

At least 18 employees, 5 of whom are senators’ staff, tested positive for COVID-19 during the rapid testing. Sotto said they were sent to a hospital for swab testing, and would be under quarantine.

PRESENT ONLINE. Senators attend plenary via teleconference. Photo by Henzberg Austria/Senate PRIB

Fifteen senators were present at the session, while 8 senators joined via teleconferencing after the resolution was passed. Those who were present online include:

  • Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
  • Senator Sonny Angara
  • Senator Pia Cayetano
  • Senator Risa Hontiveros
  • Senator Imee Marcos
  • Senator Francis Pangilinan
  • Senator Koko Pimentel
  • Senator Cynthia Villar

Senators are allowed to vote in absentia under the approved teleconferencing resolution. Privilege speeches, however, must still be delivered at the session hall. Sotto said he will go to the Senate to preside sessions.

The proposed Alternative Learning System Act was the first bill to be approved on final reading under the hybrid setup. The chamber also adopted Senator Bong Go’s resolution on the proposed “Balik Probinsya” program.

Monday’s session was the first time in Senate history that it conducted a hybrid meeting. The chamber didn’t follow the House’s hybrid session during the March 23 special session.

In 2019, Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson sought to allow detained Senator Leila de Lima to join plenary sessions from Camp Crame. This resolution, however, remained pending, as the Senate leadership argued that De Lima is “not under the chamber’s jurisdiction.”

Motion sufficed

At the lower chamber, it was House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez who made separate motions seeking to authorize legislators to attend, participate, and vote on measures, and to conduct committee hearings through online means.

He also moved to allow only 25 House members to physically attend the 3 pm plenary sessions at the Batasang Pambansa.

All of Romualdez’s motions were adopted when no lawmaker made an objection.

PHYSICAL DISTANCE. Congressmen's tables are spaced more than a meter apart as Congress resumes session. Photo from the Office of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez

Only 25 legislators were allowed to physically attend Monday’s session:

  • Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Taguig City-Pateros 1st District
  • Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Leyte 1st District
  • Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District
  • Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu, Batangas 2nd District
  • Deputy Speaker Dan Fernandez, Laguna 1st District
  • Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Camarines Sur 2nd District
  • Francis Abaya, Cavite 1st District
  • Juan Miguel Arroyo, Pampanga 2nd District
  • Mike Aglipay, DIWA
  • Jose Christopher Belmonte, Quezon City 6th District
  • Arlene Brosas, Gabriela Women’s Party
  • Precious Hipolito Castelo, Quezon City 2nd District
  • Paul Daza, Northern Samar 1st District
  • Mike Defensor, Anakalusugan
  • Ferdinand Gaite, Bayan Muna
  • Janette Garin, Iloilo 1st District
  • Manuel Lopez, Manila 1st District
  • Wilter Wee Palma II, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District
  • Gavini Pancho, Bulacan 2nd District
  • Stella Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District
  • Jesus Crispin Remulla, Cavite 7th District
  • Rida Robes, San Jose del Monte City
  • Bong Suntay, Quezon City 4th District
  • Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan 1st District
  • Eric Yap, ACT-CIS

Strict physical distancing measures are currently in place in the House to help quell the spread of COVID-19. Only 25 House members are allowed to be physically present during the session, while another 25 guests – including congressional staff and the media – can watch the proceedings.

All those entering the Batasang Pambansa must wear a face mask and will be subjected to a temperature check before entry. All guests, including journalists, are also required to submit a health declaration form before entering the Batasang Pambansa complex.

In an advisory sent to reporters on Monday, the lower chamber said only television crews will be allowed to cover House proceedings until May 15. The rest of the media were asked to monitor the House’s stream online.

Speaking before his colleagues at the start of the session, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the COVID-19 crisis calls upon legislators to “adopt” and “innovate” to do their work.

“In this extraordinary times, people look to Congress not just so that they can be represented but that we provide answers and or provide solutions. We are called upon to adopt, innovate, and manage. We have to take aim towards very specific targets and that’s what we have been doing,” Cayetano said.

“We will not fail our people. And with the help of technology, every single district and every single sector that has a party-list representation shall be represented and shall have a voice and vote during this May session that we will have,” the Taguig City-Pateros congressman added.

The newly formed House Defeat COVID-19 committee has also been conducting virtual technical working group meetings through Zoom in the past weeks. – Rappler.com

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Aika Rey

Aika Rey is a business reporter for Rappler. She covered the Senate of the Philippines before fully diving into numbers and companies. Got tips? Find her on Twitter at @reyaika or shoot her an email at aika.rey@rappler.com.
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Mara Cepeda

Mara Cepeda specializes in stories about politics and local governance. She covers the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, and the Philippine opposition. She is a 2021 fellow of the Asia Journalism Fellowship and the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship of the UN. Got tips? Email her at mara.cepeda@rappler.com or tweet @maracepeda.