The Senate, together with the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13), on Tuesday launched Senate TV, a digital television channel that will livestream legislative proceedings and other activities of the upper chamber, giving the public greater access to the lawmaking process.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian led senators and guests during the ceremonial launch, where he said in a speech that Senate TV aims to bring the work of the upper chamber closer to Filipinos.
The channel will cover committee hearings, budget deliberations, plenary sessions, and impeachment trials, allowing viewers to follow legislative proceedings from discussions to final voting.
Gatchalian said Senate TV would provide a more comprehensive view of the Senate's operations, including the research, consultations, and other work behind the drafting of legislation.
“Maraming information [ang] hindi alam ng taong bayan. Ito ‘yung behind-the-scenes information,” he said.
“As a senator, kami lang ang nagiging mukha nung batas na 'yun, pero mas marami pang taong gumagawa para mabuo 'yung batas na 'yun,” Gatchalian said.
He added that the initiative seeks to give constituents a fuller understanding of how the Senate works and help them appreciate the processes involved in crafting laws.
Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who also attended the launch, said Senate TV would allow Filipinos to watch hearings, debates, and voting proceedings directly.
Sotto said the channel would strengthen transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to monitor legislative deliberations, including budget discussions, and assess the performance of their elected officials.
“You do not have to take our word for it or what happens here. You can watch it, judge it, and you hold us accountable,” he said.
The event also included the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Senate, represented by Gatchalian, and IBC 13, represented by President and Chief Executive Officer Jose “Jimmie” Policarpio, to facilitate the channel’s broadcast operations.
Among those who attended the launch were Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr., Deputy Secretary for Administrative and Financial Services Atty. Arnel Jose Bañas, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Mon Ilagan, and IBC Board Chairman Atty. Noel Malaya.
Senate TV is expected to promote government transparency and accountability by giving Filipinos direct access to legislative proceedings and allowing them to better monitor the work of their elected representatives.
