The Senate has decided to suspend its sessions in view of the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberations on the proposed P4.1-trillion 2020 budget.
In explaining the week-long work suspension, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Senate work was automatically suspended starting December 2, Monday, which marked the celebration of Pasay City’s foundation day. The Philippine Senate is located in Pasay City.
Road closures and re-routing around the Senate due to SEA Games would make it difficult for Senate staff to report for work.
Road closures and re-routing around the Senate due to SEA Games activities at the World Trade Center and the Philippine International Convention Center, among others will also make it difficult for Senate’s staff to report for work.
Aside from the SEA Games, Zubiri said the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the national budget bill will happen from November 29 until the first week of December.
“Since we have 15 members in the bicam, I don’t think we’ll be able to achieve a quorum in the plenary.”
“Since we have 15 members in the bicam, I don’t think we’ll be able to achieve a quorum in the plenary,” the veteran legislator noted.
“Kaya nag decide ‘yung leadership (So the leadership has decided) that we just adjourn until the 9th (of December),” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The Senate contingent to the bicam will be led by Senator Sonny Angara, the chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.
The other members of the panel are Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, as well as Senators Panfilo Lacson, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Win Gatchalian, Bong Go, Dick Gordon, Imee Marcos, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe and Francis Pangilinan.
The Bicameral Conference Committee meetings will be held at the McKinley Room at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.