The Senate has officially opened its second regular session of the 18th Congress amid the COVID-19 pandemic and ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s SONA on Monday.
Unlike the situation in previous years, many changes were observed including the limited number of allowed individuals at the Session Hall. Only 17 senators were physically present while six attended virtually. Measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic remain the Upper Chamber’s priority as the session began.
Aside from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which they want to pass tomorrow during the third reading, the lawmakers will also prioritize the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Program that aims to decrease corporate tax for businesses affected by the pandemic.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the second regular session will focus on the following legislative concerns:
– Digital landscape
– Distance learning
– Public Transport System
– Encouraging new business; and
– Support for the Arts
The investigation on the alleged corruption behind the death of drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison and within the PhilHealth have also been scheduled. The committee chairmanship at the Senate will remain as is.
Meanwhile, due to limited slots at the Batasang Pambansa for the SONA, only eight Senators will physically attend including Sotto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Tolentino, Ronald dela Rosa, and Christopher Go. – Report from Eunice Samonte
