Sotto keen to resume Senate session on May 4

Senate President Vicente Sotto III is keen to resume the session in the Senate on May 4 even in the event that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is extended once again.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Sotto said Congress' legislative calendar cannot be changed even if President Rodrigo Duterte extends the ECQ once more amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

"Sa Senado o Kongreso, ang [legislative calendar] natin hindi puwedeng baguhin. We have to convene on May 4. Trabaho ko 'yun, mag-isa man ako. I'm sure marami sa amin makaka-attend, iko-convene ko 'yun," Sotto said.

The Senate and the House of Representatives are currently on recess and they are expected to go back in session on May 4.

The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine is in effect until April 30.

According to Sotto, several measures are up for Senate consideration on May 4.

"May legislative agenda kami na pag-uusapan. Ang pag-uusapan namin 'yung maipapasa at kailangan ng gobyerno o taumbayan," he said.

"Maraming naka-file na reso. Ibig sabihin puwedeng mag-hearing during May 4 up to adjournment sine die," he added.

Sotto said there are also suggestions from senators that they talk about their order of business one week before Congress is expected to resume its sessions.

"Unless madala at sabihin ng Pangulo na total lockdown, magko-convene pa rin kami. Tapos magsu-suspend lang para anytime puwedeng magpatawag... puwedeng balik kami ng trabaho," he said.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the House of Representatives was in talks with the Senate regarding changes in the legislative calendar amid the COVID-19 crisis.

"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. —KG, GMA News