More than 300 congressmen were present at the opening but only 21 were allowed to attend physically.
In his opening speech, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said one of the stumbling blocks during the first regular session is the COVID-19 pandemic and the Taal Volcano eruption.
Cayetano stated that one of their main agenda as the regular session begins is on how the country will rise from the problem. He added that they will prioritize measures that would help Filipinos whose jobs were put in peril.
The usual start of the session begins at 10:00 a.m. but was delayed due to the rapid testing as part of the health protocols for the SONA. The Lower House is yet to give its official tally on who tested positive for the disease.
Meanwhile, some congressmen responded to the calls of President Duterte during his SONA.
“We, here at the House of Representatives, are ready to face the challenges spelled out by our President in his SONA. As partners in nation building, we commit ourselves to the realization of the state’s concrete plans and the passage of the priority legislative measures provided by the President,” House Majority Leader Rep. Martin Romualdez assured.
PBA Partylist Rep. Koko Nograles pointed out some of the President’s call on Congress are already part of the HB 6815 or the ARISE Bill that was passed by the Lower House on third reading during the first regular session.
Regarding the issue on death penalty, Rep. Ruffy Biazon said he is one of those who filed the bill. “The penalty is important. But even before the penalty, a successful prosecution is much more important.”
Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also supported the capital punishment which was passed by the house during his stint in the 17th Congress. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
