In order to foreclose any legal infirmities in holding virtual congressional sessions and committee meetings by electronic means which are not presently sanctioned by the Rules of the House, a compromise can be adopted which will not require the physical presence of Representatives in the Plenary Hall.

The House of Representatives can approve a resolution amending the rules to allow virtual or electronic legislative process, which resolution can be adopted by the majority of all the Members on May 4, 2020 in a virtual session without the need of physical attendance in view of the continued enforcement in Metro Manila of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or lockdown.

This compromise will substantially comply with the requirement to first amend the Rules of the House before any change is implemented.

The effectivity of the amendatory resolution should be retroactive to the virtual Special Session on March 24, 2020 when the “Bayahihan Act” was approved.

The resolution must also include a provision that virtual plenary sessions and committee hearings may be conducted as long as there is a critical need to prevent the spread or resurgence of the COVID-19 viral menace, and also during similar health emergencies and/or natural calamities which would prevent the physical presence of Representatives in the process of legislation.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN