Despite the rush of a majority of senators for a quick passage of the Penal Code, the lack of quorum in the Tuesday, 10 August 2021 session means the senators will not be relieved of studying the bill. The majority had pushed for the passing of the Penal Code bill as received from the Chamber of Deputies. The Chamber of Deputies had 10 months time to study the bill, the Senate was given a month’s time. At the end, the special committee entrusted with making recommendations decided to recommend not making any amendments.
The no vote on Tuesday means that the bill will need to be reintroduced for the legislative term that starts on 16 August. The bill will likely be introduced in the Senate and then sent to the Chamber of Deputies for passing.
Senator Faride Raful (PRM-National District) tweeted: “In the legislature that starts next 16 August (in less than a week) the Penal Code Bill will be resubmitted so that the committee can carry out the corresponding reviews and analysis. Without pressures and with the firm political will of passing the Penal Code that we need.”
On Tuesday, the president of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella suspended the session due to the lack of quorum. The session had been scheduled for 2pm on Tuesday but never was able to get going. The Senate rules require that at least 17 of 32 senators be present. For the Tuesday session, only 11 senators were present.
Technically, the Senate could still meet until 14 August and pass the Penal Code. The passing of Tropical Storm Fred makes even more unlikely the bill passing in this legislature.
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Diario Libre
11 August 2021