In an exclusive interview on DZRH's Isyung Pambayan, Kabataan Partylist Representative Atty. Renee Co expressed opposition to proposals by some members of the Senate majority to allow remote or online voting, warning that it could establish a precedent affecting future impeachment proceedings.
Co stressed that there is currently no declared emergency that would justify non-physical participation in plenary sessions. She argued that existing rules allowing remote arrangements were designed for exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical distancing and health risks made in-person attendance impractical.
She explained that such measures were intended only for periods when gatherings posed health risks, noting that the pandemic setup was an extraordinary condition and not a permanent arrangement for legislative decision-making.
“Wala pong dinedeklarang emergency that would necessitate voting na hindi physical na naroon sa plenaryo,” Co said, emphasizing that without an official emergency declaration, continued virtual voting cannot be justified under current rules.
The lawmaker further cautioned that allowing remote voting in the absence of an emergency could reshape procedural standards in the Senate, particularly in high-stakes proceedings such as impeachment trials, where full in-person deliberation is traditionally observed.
The remarks come amid ongoing debates within the Senate over procedural reforms and the extent to which technology-based participation should be institutionalized in legislative processes.
The discussion continues to draw attention from various political groups, as lawmakers weigh efficiency and accessibility against tradition, accountability, and procedural integrity.
