Sotto issued the statement following Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s suggestion to open the chamber’s regular session on May 4 via teleconferencing. The convening and conduct of the May 4 session in a customary manner is a high risk,” Drilon said in a statement. But in a message to reporters, Sotto maintained that quarantine measures enforced by the country’s COVID-19 task force could not supersede the Senate’s constitutional mandate. I received his (Drilon) letter to me but I already said that the (Inter-agency Task Force) directive cannot supersede a Constitutional mandate,” the Senate President said. Under Senate rules, a quorum can only be declared if at least 12 senators are present in the plenary hall.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 01, 2020 07:30 UTC