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CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN INTEGRATED AND SECURE DIGITAL LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO BE KNOWN AS THE eCONGRESS

February 28, 2023

Co-Sponsorship Speech of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN INTEGRATED AND SECURE DIGITAL LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO BE KNOWN AS THE eCONGRESS

28 February 2023
Senate of the Philippines

Mr. President,

I join my distinguished colleagues in the initiative of establishing and maintaining an integrated and secure digital legislative management system for the Congress of the Philippines, to be known as the eCongress.

Now is the time better than any for those of us, upon whom our laws have assigned mandates and duties to perform as a bicameral Congress, to ensure that both chambers of Congress require constant collaboration, coordination, communication and sharing of knowledge resources and information.

The information ecosystem has found its relevance in today’s world. Timely, accurate, and clear information requires the right digital infrastructure, efficient information systems, resources, and protocols.

Digital transformation has long been introduced and is welcomed by the people and governments.

The eCongress will help address the challenge of making public governance more inclusive, encouraging, and strengthening people’s participation and empowerment.

Developing a database will substantially transform public services, provide better coordination between both chambers, and ensure alignment with national strategy. As more data is shared and secured, it can be synthesized into useful information for decision-making.

The shared power of legislation of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as it has been desired by the fundamental law of the land, is justified to exercise careful and diligent legislation, expand democratic processes and secure orderly deliberation of both chambers of Congress.

Where digital transformation has become inevitable in the public sector, it is appropriate for Congress to invest resources to establish public digital infrastructure, articulate strategies, and integrate advances within the system of governance.

Thank you, Mr. President.