Manila: As the 19th Congress prepares to resume on June 2, Senate President Francis Escudero announced that the Senate’s primary focus will be on completing essential legislative measures and preparing for the potential impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero, during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay briefing, stated that the Senate’s top priorities include tackling the proposed Right of Way law, the 99-year lease measure for foreign investors, and charter extensions for key national agencies such as the National Housing Authority, the Development Bank of the Philippines, and the National Economic and Development Authority, all of which face expiration this year.
These legislative measures are part of the Senate’s immediate agenda, with an aim to complete them within the two weeks before adjournment. Escudero acknowledged that the Senate is trailing behind the House of Representatives, which has already passed most of these measures. He attributed this delay to the Senate’s limited manpower compared to the larger House of Representatives.
Escudero explained the disparity in legislative progress by highlighting that both the Senate and the House perform the same functions, but with significantly different numbers of members. The Senate, with only 23 members, often finds itself lagging due to the extensive manhours required to perform its duties compared to the over 300 members of the House.
Beyond legislative duties, Escudero mentioned the Senate’s preparations to convene as an impeachment court following a complaint filed on February 5 against Duterte. The Senate is currently in the process of finalizing its rules for the impeachment proceedings.
Additionally, Escudero pointed out the busy schedule of the Commission on Appointments (CA), which he chairs. The CA is tasked with confirming Cabinet appointees from various departments, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Transportation, Presidential Communications Office, Commission on Elections, Civil Service Commission, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Escudero expressed confidence in the Senate’s ability to manage this workload efficiently, ensuring that all tasks are accomplished without compromising quality.
