Senate, House in talks on possible changes in legislative calendar amid COVID-19 crisis

The leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives are in talks on whether adjustments will be made in the legislative calendar as the country continues to grapple with the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

During the virtual meeting of the Economic Stimulus Package subcommittee of the House Defeat COVID-19 committee on Tuesday, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri had already communicated about the legislative calendar amid the COVID-19 situation.

The Senate and the House of Representatives are currently on a recess and are expected to go back in 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.

"All of us are 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," he added.

Cayetano, however, expressed readiness to convene in a special session if they are called for it.

For his part, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said the chamber is exerting all efforts to fast-track their proceedings.

"We are already doing everything we can to fast-track so that when we are supposed to resume on May 4, we will hit the ground running and we'll be ready to tackle and already implement all our initiatives," he said. — BM, GMA News