Congress to focus on COVID-19 laws

MANILA, Philippines — Congress will temporarily shelve pending bills and focus on legislation to help the country address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis when lawmakers resume session on May 4, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

Zubiri, who recovered from a COVID-19 infection, said it was likely that the Senate and the House of Representatives will resume session as scheduled on May 4 amid reports that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be extended or have a limited lifting of certain restrictions after April 30.

“We’re going to move them (pending bills) aside first and focus on COVID-19 measures,” Zubiri told The Chiefs aired on Cignal TV’s One News on Tuesday night.

He, however, said the Senate will still pass a resolution honoring the late senator Heherson Alvarez, who succumbed to COVID-19 on Monday. Traditional necrological services could not be held due to the situation.

Lawmakers from both chambers have started to propose various economic stimulus or rescue packages for the country and various industries.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier agreed to resume session as scheduled despite the possibility of the quarantine being extended. President Duterte has been apprised of the matter.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the session would likely be brief and subsequent proceedings may be done via teleconference.

Hearings could also be limited, senators said.