Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged the Senate to immediately resume its sessions, warning that the chamber's ongoing impasse is disrupting legislative work needed to address the country's response to the emerging global oil crisis. "Get back to work. Because it's important - ang dami nating kailangang gawin (we have a lot of work to do)," Marcos told reporters in an interview in Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President emphasized that lawmakers still need to tackle measures that could cushion Filipinos from the impact of rising oil prices. This includes considering a possible supplemental budget and amendments to existing laws. "We had a meeting sa UPLIFT Committee at marami tayong kailangang magawa na mga batas (we need to work on a handful of laws). We were thinking na baka magka-supplemental budget, baka amyendahan namin ang ibang batas (we were thinking of requesting a supplemental budget, to amend certain laws)," Marcos said. He stressed the importance of these measures to provide relief to citizens amidst the ongoing global oil crisis.
Marcos also questioned the cancellation of Senate sessions for two consecutive days following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on plunder and graft charges related to flood control anomalies. He expressed his belief that assisting a senator should not justify the suspension of a session. "I don't think na ihahatid mo ang isang senador para pumunta kung saan siya pupunta, hindi yata sapat na dahilan 'yan para i-cancel ang isang session (I don't think assisting a senator is enough reason to suspend a session)," he said.
The President, who has served as both a senator and congressman, highlighted that legislative rules traditionally require advance notice and compelling grounds before a session is canceled. He expressed concern that recent events have affected the Senate's ability to perform its mandate. "I'm afraid all these events that we have been witnessing have thrown the Senate and its leadership, the whole Senate, into disarray. It has discredited the leadership, and it has stopped the essential business of legislation and government," Marcos stated.
Marcos noted that while the Executive and Judiciary branches continue to function, the Senate has effectively halted its work at a critical time when stability and government intervention are needed. "We are trying to achieve some form of stability so that people can get on with their lives, so that people can plan ahead for their future, so that people can count on the assistance of government during this time of an emergency," he said.
The Senate has failed to hold sessions since Monday after members of the majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano skipped attendance following Estrada's arrest.
