THE Senate on Thursday decided to suspend the resolution allowing the conduct of plenary sessions and committee hearings in the upper chamber through teleconference, video conference, or other electronic means.

In presiding Thursday’s session, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III noted the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Philippines, agreeing with Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri’s observation that even children have been allowed to attend classes physically.

He also said that under Rule 11 of the chamber’s rules, committees can conduct hearings via a teleconference “due to force majeur or occurrence of an emergency”.

“But there is no longer an emergency, the worst is Alert Level 1. We have to show the people that we are working,” Sotto said.

No senator objected to Sotto’s proposition, prompting the Senate chief to rule on the suspension.

In May 2020, during the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, the Senate adopted Resolution No. 43, which amended the Rules of the Senate to allow the conduct of hybrid plenary sessions and committee hearings. By Marlon Purificacion

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Marlon Purification