Senate President Chiz Escudero vowed to focus on crafting laws that ease the burdens of overworked and underpaid Filipinos, as he formally opened the third and final session of the 19th Congress.
In his speech, Escudero called for a shift in priorities to address the immediate needs and challenges of the public, envisioning a Senate that “bridges social divides and builds a path to prosperity for every Filipino”.
“Our people are overworked, underpaid, and overburdened. A comfortable life has eluded them for generations,” the veteran legislator lamented.
“Their dreams and struggles, more than any policy paper, provide what our legislative agenda should contain and inspire us to work hard towards the same,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“I say that it is time to reframe our work–and pivot to laws that would make the life of the Filipino easier,” the senate chief stressed.
He said the foremost task of senators is to be the “Chief Common Sense Officers of the government,” believing that common sense is crucial for bringing ease to the lives of Filipinos.
Escudero lamented the frequent absence of common sense in government.
“Ang hirap lang palagi sa common sense, hindi po madalas common. Hindi nakikita sa maraming ahensya, opisyal at empleyado ng pamahalaan,” he noted.
Escudero stressed that the Senate should lead in applying common sense to balance and properly address every issue and problem it aims to solve.
In calling for a fundamental change in lawmaking priorities, he criticized the current focus on laws that primarily benefit big businesses.
“I have noticed that we have passed a raft of laws that ease the burden on big business, that provide for ease of paying taxes, that provide ease of unloading bad loans,” Escudero observed.
He questioned the absence of legislation aimed at improving essential aspects of daily life for the general population.
“Bakit walang ease of commuting and connecting? Ease of finishing school and finding work? Ease of healthcare for the sick? Ease of acquiring justice? Ease of growing food and feeding our families?” Escudero asked.
He committed to ensuring that every law and budget decision is made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind.
Escudero detailed the Senate’s meticulous approach to lawmaking, including trimming lengthy provisions, reducing projected costs, testing for constitutionality, and addressing stakeholders’ concerns.
“We do this because legislative haste often leads to time and resources wasted,” he noted.
“Bills that are not forged in the fire of debate often come out half-baked, and eventually require remedial sequels,” Escudero added.
He assured that the Senate will ensure well-crafted laws reach the President’s desk, with a particular focus on the annual budget.
“Sisiguraduhin po natin na pulido ang mga batas naaabot sa mesa ng Pangulo.”
“Sisiguraduhin po natin na pulido ang mga batas naaabot sa mesa ng Pangulo,” Escudero said.
He emphasized the importance of meticulous decision-making in the budget process, recognizing the hard-earned taxes paid by Filipinos and the debt burdens future generations will bear.
“Dahil pagpapawisan ng taumbayan ang buwis na popondo dito, at papasanin ng kanilang mga anak ang pambayad sa utang na pupuno dito, dapat ang trilyon-trilyong pisong bubunuin nila ay dapat lang maghatid ng ginhawa sa kanilang buhay,” Escudero explained.
He highlighted that the Senate’s role extends beyond lawmaking to correcting wrongs and flawed policies.
“Irregularities will be probed. Relief will be provided, and justice will always be pursued without letup.”
“To write laws is not the only duty of the Senate. It also has the duty to right wrongs and wrong policies,” Escudero explained. “To this end, irregularities will be probed. Relief will be provided, and justice will always be pursued without letup.”
He also reaffirmed the Senate’s independence, saying it is driven by debate and committed to scrutinizing government proposals without external influence.
“Daily, our independence is livestreamed and blasted to all media platforms, where you see your senators who can only be won over to a cause if you debate them, and not dictate upon them,” Escudero pointed out. “It conveys one unchanging truth: that senators are subjects only of the people, and subsidiary of no other branch, party, person, or interest.”
He continued, “This time-honored tradition is what makes our institution strong and respected. We embrace the full ventilation of views, either in contra or in conformity, whether by those in the majority or in the minority. But at the end of the day, we vote. We divide the house, but only on issues, out of policy differences. Never should we allow politics keep our house divided permanently.”
Escudero ended his speech with a quote from Quezon: “A Senate that serves the people, the way the people themselves want to be served. A Senate which works for the people, and which is worthy of their support. We cannot fail, for our failure is their failure, and our defeat will be their defeat.”
“For me, the reverse is also true. Our triumph, as a country and people, will be their triumph as well. And in this regard, your Senate shall not falter, and we will always prevail in the name of the Filipino people,” he concluded.
