By Hannah L. Torregoza
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has called House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez’s remarks against the Senate as “uncalled for” and smacks of unparliamentary conduct.
“The Senate works differently from the House in that we think and act more independently as individual members,” Lacson said.
“Nobody, not the Senate President and even the President of the Republic can dictate on us,” Lacson stressed.
Alvarez has been critical of the Senate and called it “slow” for supposed failure to act on measures approved by the House of Representatives.
Also taking a jab at Alvarez was Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
“Hindi po subordinate ng House ang Senate and that is also true the other way around. A measure before it becomes law must pass both chambers.”
“That is the basic principle. We have to respect the decision of each chamber,” Pimentel said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the attacks of the House Speaker against the Senate are part of the plan to weaken the Senate and pave the way for a unicameral Congress.
Drilon has urged the Senate leadership to defend its integrity and independence against any attempt to “abolish” it.
He said Pimentel should “rise above partisan political interest to defend the Senate regardless of his political affiliation.”
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian backed Lacson’s statement, saying the Senate’s job is crucial especially since they pass measures that are of national importance.
“By design of the Constitution, the Senate and the House perform check and balance to each other in order to assure the public that all laws passed are meticulously scrutinized,” Gatchalian said.
“It’s not about quantity but more importantly quality of the legislation that should positively affect the lives of the people,” he said.