Maila Ager
Inquirer.net
November 24, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate has started to livestream its proceedings to allow the public to closely watch the chamber in action even from the comfort of their home or office.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Wednesday that the livestreaming could be viewed at the official website of the Senate (wwww.senate.gov.ph), which started Tuesday for the opening of the plenary deliberations on the proposed P1.645 trillion budget for next year.

Pangilinan, principal author of Resolution 53, which paved the way for the livestreaming, lauded this move.

“Opening public proceedings to new media of late has become a vital source of interaction not only in the country but in other countries’ government as well,” he said in a statement.

“Our aim is to provide the public in general accurate information, transparency and accountability of legislators in the proceedings in the senate. This is also aligned with the goals of the Aquino administration of having the public participate in governance,” he added.

Pangilinan said the livestreaming of sessions would also be educational to the public.

“Unfortunately, most of the time legislators are seen debating with each other in forming laws. That is just one aspect of our duties. Now the public can see the judge for themselves how their elected officials are doing their jobs,” he said.

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