No more ‘muting’ in the House

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of members of the House of Representatives is now encouraged in plenary and panel deliberations under the new leadership, so there will be no more “muting” of any representation as what had happened in past sessions held via videoconferencing.

“Now congressmen can go in and out of Congress… We’re not being muted,” newly reinstated Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero told “The Chiefs” on One News/TV 5 last Wednesday night.

Romero, an ally of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, said allowing the physical presence of legislators at all deliberations held at the Batasang Pambansa – unlike in past months when limited attendance was observed due to COVID-19 – would avoid instances in which lawmakers attending via Zoom are not allowed to speak.

“The muting deprives you and your constituents of talking, of giving a chance to air your side,” he said.

The previous leadership under former speaker, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, limited those who can personally attend the sessions, with the rest having to participate via videoconferencing.

Addressing concerns regarding the health risks of conducting physical sessions in this time of pandemic, Romero said lawmakers undergo testing whenever they go to the Batasan.

He opposed the conduct of sessions via videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom, saying that it is their duty to their constituents to be present in the halls of Congress.

“We feel that it is a dictatorial and autocratic style of governance to us. It’s almost like a tyrant already and we will not agree to that,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, referring to the remote sessions that lead to the muting of some participants.

“There’s a democratic process that we have to follow. I believe that if you stop me from talking or you stop anybody from talking, then you kill the democratic process,” he added.