Ralph Recto smokes at home while interpellating in virtual Senate hearing

For the past few weeks, the Senate's virtual "hybrid" hearings have been giving the public a glimpse into the personal lives (and spaces) of lawmakers and other government officials participating in them: from the interiors of their houses to a senator's son who loves sharing the "limelight" with his dad, and another senator with a staff member named "Dianne."

This time around, the public now knows that Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto seems to prefer taking a few puffs while inside the comforts of their residence.

During a Senate inquiry into the coronavirus disease 2019 situation in the Philippines on Wednesday, Recto was seen on video whipping out what appeared to be an e-cigarette during his turn for interpellation.

Recto then casually smoked his vape while speaking to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

WATCH: Ralph Recto smokes at home while interpellating at the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/sixFAt1Lgp

— Joahna Lei Casilao (@joahnacasilao) May 20, 2020

The Senate has amended its rules to allow physical and online attendance to hearings and plenary sessions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

These hearings have been witness to other off-the-cuff, sometimes funny, but for the most part light moments, like when Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri’s son appeared behind him on Tuesday during a hearing.

Even before that, the world got introduced to "Dianne" when Senator Cynthia Villar forgot to turn off her microphone during a plenary session. "O anong sagot dito Dianne? Dianne?" Villar asked her Senate staff, unaware that she was being heard by fellow lawmakers.

Realizing her blooper, a smiling Villar apologized immediately and turned off her mic.

During another virtual plenary session, Senate President Vicente Sotto III requested Sen. Manny Pacquiao if he could "check on his attire, dress code" after the latter appeared in the conference video wearing only a T-shirt. -MDM, GMA News