Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 29) — Is Congress likely to pass dubious and controversial measures in the plenary amid the coronavirus pandemic?
At least one lawmaker thinks so.
Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza warned on Wednesday about the “doubtful processes” he claimed have been going on in the House plenary, such as the declaration of a quorum and holding of deliberations despite a limited number of congressmen who are physically present on the floor.
On the first two days of the second regular session of the 18th Congress, Atienza said 301 House members were declared present, with the majority listening remotely in the proceedings. He said this is contrary to past traditions wherein lawmakers barely reach half of their total number on the floor.
“You really really have to doubt the processes being followed now,” Atienza told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
“Kahapon, nag-roll call, 301 [were declared present],” he said. “Ni hindi nga nakaka-120, 140 [ang attendance] pag regular process yung sinusunod. Paano, there is no way of questioning it.”
[Translation: Yesterday during the roll call, 301 were declared present. During the regular proceedings, we can’t even reach 120 or 140 congressmen. No wonder, because there is no way of questioning the true number.]
Atienza, known for constantly questioning the declaration of quorum in House sessions, noted that measures may be railroaded anew since lawmakers cannot meet on a regular basis and physical deliberations are limited.
“We will pass measures which may be doubtful on its reality and practicality and usefulness, and it could even be self-serving to the members of Congress,” he said.
“Kawawa naman ang tao,” he added. “Mabababoy ang ating legislative arm of government.”
[Translation: It’s the people who will suffer. The legislative arm of the government could be bastardized.]
For Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante, there is no problem with the House minority uniting with the national government in terms of tackling crucial measures.
“The minority should also help the government when the government needs help as the state of the nation is concerned, and oppose when there is a real sense of opposing it,” he said.
But Atienza disagreed to this, noting that such scenario is “very peculiar” in Congress.
“This is the first time that the minority is working with the majority in many measures,” he said. “Pag nagsama yang dalawang iyan, walang laban ang taongbayan (If the two join forces, the people are powerless).”
Abante’s designation was criticized by some lawmakers last year, with allegations that he was installed by the House majority, dominated by pro-administration lawmakers.
Numerous issues were also raised in the past month, particularly on the voting of controversial measures like the anti-terrorism bill, and the junking of the ABS-CBN franchise application, due to Congress’ teleconferencing procedures.
In June, some lawmakers complained that their votes were erroneously tallied in the voting of the anti-terrorism bill when it was still up for third and final reading.
There is also a pending appeal for plenary action on the matter from some opposition lawmakers, claiming that all 305 representatives need to vote and decide on ABS-CBN’s fate, due to “unsure” and “insecure” issues considered in the panel vote last time.
Ex-officio members and members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to junk the network’s franchise on July 10, owing to alleged violations on tax obligations, ownership, and supposedly unfair reporting, among other things.
