SENATE President Vicente Sotto III expects “no problem” in mustering a quorum at the resumption of regular sessions Monday (July 26) amid a lingering Covid-19 contagion, as majority of senators and Senate employees will be physically present, having been vaccinated against the deadly virus.
Still, the leadership adopted an attendance option for senators apart from physical presence, allowing virtual presence-attendance via video conference in hybrid plenary session and committee hearings, effectively solving quorum problems.
Since the surge of the contagion, Sotto III said employee presence at the Senate building had been limited according to the standard set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
This, as dozens of employees and three senators were infected with Covid, which also sent several into self-isolation after being in contact with Covid-positive people like resource persons and consultants.
Meanwhile, the Senate Secretariat confirmed it was retaining the policy that all persons entering the premises must test negative in swab tests, including guests invited to testify at Senate hearings.
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