Senate goes on 2-week lockdown, suspends session until Aug. 19

A two-week lockdown will be implemented in the Senate building in Pasay City starting Tuesday after members of the upper chamber approved to do so in support of the medical workers' earlier plea to place Metro Manila under stringent restrictions again.

The "enhanced community quarantine" within the Senate premises was formally declared during the session on Monday night.

The Senate session is suspended until 3 p.m. of August 19 but Sotto can call for earlier resumption anytime, if the need arises to "discuss or approve pressing matters."

On Sunday night, Senate President Vicente Sotto consulted his colleagues in making such a move as a sign of support to the health workers' request for a "time out."

All the lawmakers, including the minority bloc, backed the proposal.

Nonetheless, Sotto assured that the hearing on the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) scheduled on Tuesday will not be delayed due to the lockdown.

He said very limited staff would be required to go to work as some resource persons are still required to be physically present at the Senate.

"Medyo may pagka-hybrid pero less on the physical presence as far as employees are concerned. Wala na 'yung employees na iba, 'yun lang concerned doon sa hearing and then very limited, skeleton din," he said in a virtual interview earlier.

Other hearings can be conducted virtually.

The bicameral conference for the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One will also continue, according to Senator Sonny Angara.

"We can do it virtually since Senate has elected conferees. We are just waiting for House to pass and to elect its conferees then we can meet to discuss— which can be done online," he said.

"Ratification of the bicam report is another thing. That may require some physical presence, however brief," Angara added. —LDF, GMA News