SESSIONS MUST BE SUSPENDED

Atienza fears passage of 'any laws' for lack of debate in teleconferences

Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza on Wednesday expressed alarm over the passage of "doubtful" measures in Congress due to lack of debate and interpellation during videoconferencing.

In a forum, Atienza lamented that the teleconferencing system could led to the passing of "illegal" laws if some lawmakers are not being heard.

"Under this system, the Congress literally can pass anything. Walang paraan e, [upang] magkaroon ng balance opinion, healthy debating, interpellation. Lulusot ang maraming batas,” he pointed out.

After the measures for COVID-19 response is done, Atienza suggested the session should be suspended to prevent the possible passage of questionable laws.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabing gagawin ng ating magiging speaker pero maaaring gawin sapagkat pinipili lang niya kung sino 'yung gusto niyang marinig," Atienza said.

He underscored that the discussion on matters like the amendment of the Constitution and even the budget should be done with the regular process.

“Until we are able to attend personally, magbakasyon muna kami. Sapagkat nanganganib ang aming batas ay makagawa ng hindi tama kung teleconferencing po," he added.

“These are the kinds of doubtful and illegal measures that we are capable of passing to the Congress if we follow the same system,” Atienza pointed out.

During a roll call in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Atienza said that the 301 attendance of solons was a made-up figure.

“Paano there is no way of questioning it. Next time baka sabihin 304 and we will pass measures with may be doubtful, unfamiliarity, impracticality, unusual, and could be self-serving,” he said.

“It could be for the members of the Congress. Eh kawawa naman ang tao. Mabababoy naman ‘yung ating legislative arm of government,” he added. —LBG, GMA News