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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Resolution No. 51 seeking to let De Lima take part in the chamber’s plenary sessions through teleconferencing or other forms of remote electronic communications while in detention.
In their resolution, Drilon and Lacson said that despite her detention, De Lima is still entitled to her constitutional rights and as a duly-elected senator, has the mandate to participate in the law-making process.
“Her absence deprives the 14 million Filipinos who voted for her their proper representation in the Senate,” the two lawmakers added.
The measure has been referred to the Senate committee on rules last Wednesday, July 31.
The committee, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, will then deliberate whether or not to endorse the proposal for approval in the Upper Chamber.
In a radio interview Saturday, August 3, Lacson said that with the resolution, De Lima could interpellate and propose amendments on the bills, or other matters, being discussed in the floor.
The opposition lawmaker, however, would still not be able to vote, as Senate rules require the physical presence of members.
“But at least she can contribute to improve proposed laws, if we will adopt the resolution,” Lacson told radio DWIZ in Filipino.
The chair of the Senate’s accounts committee said it would also be practical to use the teleconferencing equipment procured by the Senate when former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was still detained.
“Sabi ko nariyan idle, pwede natin ituloy…May gamit, nabili na, ako nag-suggest na gamitin natin (Since it was just left idle, I thought we could reuse it. We have the equipment, so I suggested to put it to good use),” he said.
Lacson said the resolution was also supported by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who, to recall, asked the PNP to allow De Lima to hold committee hearings inside their premises to fast track the passage of important bills for the marginalized sectors.
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De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Camp Crame for more than two years over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.
But whether or not De Lima would be allowed to take part in her colleagues’ discussions, even if the Senate approves the Resolution No. 51, would still depend on the PNP.
Lacson, a former PNP chief, said he sees “no problem nor security considerations” on the proposal since De Lima would remain in her detention cell.
He also assured that the Senate will comply with the police’s requirements before De Lima could participate in their debates.
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[SOURCE]- gnbc.news
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