The presence of Sen. Chiz Escudero at the Senate plenary hall Wednesday, June 3, was crucial in enabling the Senate to resume work after two days of impasse caused by ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano-led boycott.
Here’s the statement of the new Senate Majority:
We express our deep appreciation and commend the courageous decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution. His action sent a clear message that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else.
His presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside.
On the issue of the quorum, this is not an unchartered matter. The Supreme Court, in Avelino v. Cuenco recognized the principle that a quorum of 12 is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate.
There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold.
At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest.
The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and place public service above politics.
It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people.
Although, the new Majority has yet to elect a new Senate President because they need 13 votes, which they do not yet have, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Cayetano is no longer Senate president after the senators present and declared all positions vacant, including the Senate presidency.
The new Majority elected Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate President and Migz Zubiri as Majority Leader.
The new committee chairmanships:
Erwin Tulfo, Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) and the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development; JV Ejercito, Committee on Finance; Tito Sotto, Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; Panfilo Lacson, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Committee on Accounts;
Raffy Tulfo,Committee on Public Services; Bam Aquino, Committee on Basic Education; Kiko Pangilinan,Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform; Chiz Escudero, Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement;
Risa Hontiveros, Committee on Health and Demography; Lito Lapid, Committee on Games and Amusement; and Migz Zubiri, Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Rules.
Malacañang and the House of Representatives recognized the new Senate leadership.
Photos and video by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.
