THE Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday, July 27, 2020, opened the second regular session of the 18th Congress, several hours ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte's fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona).
At the Senate, a hybrid session saw six senators joining the session virtually while 17 others, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, physically attended the session. Detained Senator Leila de Lima is still not allowed to attend the session.
Transparent barriers have been installed between the seats at the Senate session hall to prevent transmission of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Sotto, in his opening speech, said the Upper Chamber will be passing laws that will answer the question "how can we make the situation better for all Filipinos".
The Senate is expected to pass the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which was passed on second reading before the sine die adjournment in June 2020.
The measure seeks to extend the powers granted to President Rodrigo Duterte under Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, to carry out national policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In this moment of crisis, our survival depends on how strong we fight this crisis together. We are thankful for the reported recoveries from the pandemic, we are saddened by the deaths of many, inspired by the heroism of our frontliners, but we must not lose hope," he said.
In the previous regular session, Sotto said the Senate worked for the approval of various Covid-related measures that are now being implemented.
"Through our oversight powers, we will make sure that the programs laid out are followed to the letter and that transparency in the handling of funds is observed," Sotto said.
For the second session, Sotto said the Senate will continue to tackle legislations in response to the pandemic. The agenda will focus on the following:
At the House of Representatives, 21 were physically present at the Batasang Pambansa while the rest of the 301 members joined via a videoconferencing program.
In his opening speech, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano proposed to strengthen the country's tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors to ease the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We must approach this problem and prepare as if we were at war, which to a large extent we are. Congress needs to continue to adapt, innovate, and manage," Cayetano said.
He added that the government's hardest task is keeping Filipinos safe amid the pandemic.
"Right now, our greatest and most difficult task is to keep the Filipino people safe and healthy while getting Filipinos back to work," Cayetano said.
The lawmaker called on local urban planners to suggest ideas in decongesting cities.
"Let us look to the provinces as the new centers of development. This is a call on urban planners, engineers, and architects, we need your ideas. Help us build a better Philippines by decongesting cities," he said.
Cayetano urged the public to keep an eye on the House's movements, but said that they must learn to "agree to disagree."
"To the Filipino people, please know that we welcome your vigilance and ask you to continue to watch over this Congress to cry the alarm whenever you see an abuse in our ranks--by all means, hold is to the highest standards in integrity and public service," he said.
"We have to learn to agree to disagree. Hindi po puwede na kapag hindi tayo nag-aagree, galit na tayo," he added.
The lawmakers adopted House resolution no. 1060 which will inform the President that the chamber has opened its 2nd regular session.
They also adopted House concurrent resolution 10 on the conduct of the joint session at 4 p.m. Monday. (Marites Villamor-Ilano/Jove Moya/VoxPop Philippines)