Sotto backs work-from-home option for some Senate staff

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday expressed support for allowing some Senate employees to work from home as part of efforts to conserve energy amid tensions in the Middle East.

Sotto said the proposal was suggested by Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza.

“Sinuggest niya na lahat ng pwedeng mag-work from home na mga empleyado ng Senado, payagan namin. Lalo na ‘yung mga hindi kailangan do’n,” Sotto said during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(He suggested that we allow all Senate employees who can work from home to do so, especially those who do not need to report there regularly.)

Sotto said the proposal could help reduce electricity and fuel consumption.

“Okay ‘yung suggestion na ‘yun kasi ‘yung akin, anything to help. Anything that we can do to help. Kahit na barya-barya pa ‘yung maitutulong natin, malaking bagay ‘yun.

(That suggestion is good because we should do anything we can to help. Even small contributions can make a big difference.)

"So, work from home? Pwede ‘yun. Magbawas tayo ng paggamit ng kuryente, paggamit ng gasolina (That’s possible. Let’s reduce the use of electricity and gasoline),” he added.

According to Sotto, shifting about 30% of Senate employees to a work-from-home setup could help cut energy use and fuel consumption.

Earlier, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that starting March 9, 2026, a four-day workweek will temporarily be implemented in offices under the executive branch.

Malacañang Palace also issued Memorandum Circular No. 114, which calls for stricter energy conservation measures to reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources.

Oil deregulation

Sotto also expressed support for calls to repeal the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 amid concerns over a looming oil crisis, saying he may file a bill seeking its repeal.

“Baka pagkakataon na ngayon na… tigil na natin ‘yan. Repeal natin ‘yan. Ibalik natin na kayang kontrolin ng gobyerno ang oil companies,” he said.

(Maybe now is the time to stop that. Let’s repeal it and allow the government again to regulate the oil companies.)

The law removed government control over the oil industry to encourage competition in the supply and pricing of petroleum products.—MCG, GMA Integrated News