MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In times of crisis, people come together and unite, Philippine Senators included.

Voting unanimously on a joint resolution authored by Senate President Tito Sotto and erstwhile Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, the Philippine Senate thwarted the construction of what would have been a new, P8.5 Billion Senate Building at the Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila.

Instead, the state-of-the-art edifice will serve as a permanent COVID-19 center that will serve future coronavirus patients.

In their resolution, Sotto and Hontiveros said that their experience during the still-ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine shows that Philippine legislators do not need an expensive building in order to do their job.  They have been working from home (WFH), or from jail as is the case with Senator Leila De Lima.

“Puwede pala,” (It’s actually possible), Hontiveros said about WFH, adding that she foresees social distancing as part of the new normal.