(UNSPLASH / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The House Committee on Revision of Laws on Tuesday, February 9, started discussing House Bill No. 7042, which seeks to amend the Family Code of the Philippines, and permit the virtual presence of couples and their witnesses during a ceremony. Kabayan Party List Representative Ron Salo, author of the bill, said it was high time for Congress to pass the proposed “Virtual Marriage Act” amid the prohibition on mass gatherings and social distancing measures. Some states in the US have already adopted this due to the persisting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He also said the bill would be “perfectly-timed” for Valentine’s Day.