Gordon calls out senators’ absence during interpellations

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Richard Gordon called out some minority senators for not showing up during Wednesday’s plenary deliberations, citing that their absence postpones debates on proposed measures.

After he sponsored Senate Bill 2195, which seeks to authorize courts to require community service instead of imprisonment as penalties for arrested minors or those of legal age, he asked for a manifestation from Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Gordon criticized the absence of some minority senators and expressed sympathy towards Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, who was mostly alone in interpellating a proposed bill.

“Hindi natin nagawa ‘yung batas natin sa minimum age for criminal responsibility (MACR) o liablity, pero magagawa ho natin yan on Monday (We have not tackled the minimum age for criminal responsibility (MACR) o liability, but we can do that on Monday). Unfortunately, the minority leader has gone and I really feel for him,” Gordon said.

“Nakakaawa naman ho si Frank Drilon at palagi na lang siyang nagiisa at meron naman tayong ibang minority senators na hindi naman nagpapakita, eh nade-delay rin ho ang trabaho natin dito sa Senado (It’s a pity that Frank Drilon is always alone when we have other minority senators. We are delaying our work here at the Senate),” Gordon said.

“Hindi dapat sinasabi ng kapwa senador yan pero sasabihin ko nang deretsahan, eh tayo nagpa-sakripisyo. Si Senate President, Senate Majority leader (Juan Miguel Zubiri), ang inyong abang lingkod, lahat tayo hanggang gabi nandito pero yung iba wala, eh hindi makatapos ng batas dito sa ating Senado,” he added.

(We should not be directly saying this to fellow senators, but we make sacrifices here. The Senate President, the Senate Majority Leader, yours truly — all of us work here until night time, but the others are not here. We cannot finish our work that way.)

He said that he only raised the matter as Drilon, who is 73 years old, could use some help during the period of interpellations.

“Sayang naman ho yung oras sapagkat tayo’s binabayaran para tayo’y makatapos tayo ng batas, eh di natin matapos tapos at kapos tayo sa mga tao dito (It’s a waste of time because we are being paid to pass laws, but we cannot finish our work because we lack people),” he added.

He noted that the Senate is a place for debates. “Whether you vote, disagree with [the] proposal coming out of [a] committee, you should allow it to find air in the Senate, dun tayo pwedeng magdebate. Eh kung ayaw nating mag-debate, wag tayong mag-senador, hindi ho ba (That’s where we can debate. If we do not want to do that, then let’s not be senators),” he added.

The senator also criticized those who are apparently prioritizing their campaigns.

“Kaya sana ho magagawa lahat itong mga batas na ito at marami pang iba para matapos natin. So konting patawad na lang ho dun sa mga kaibigan natin (We are hoping that these proposed measures are passed and we could finish more work. So let’s ask forgiveness from our friends),” he said

Siguro yung iba mas magandang mangampanya na ngayon. Andito si [Senator] JV [Ejercito], hindi nangangampanya, bakit sila nangangampanya na (Some senators may be better off campaigning now. Here is JV, he is not campaigning. Why are they campaigning)?” he added.

Ejercito is seeking reelection in the upcoming May 2019 midterm polls.

After he aired his sentiments, Gordon asked for patience and understanding from Sotto.

“Nasabi ko na lang yung nasa loob ng aking dibdib at puso at kaalaman ( I only said what is in my heart and mind),” he said.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed with Gordon, saying he is hoping for consideration from their colleagues.

“I absolutely agree Mr. President, marami pa po tayong mga major measures (there are many major measures) that we want to take up, and we’re hoping to get the consideration of our colleagues, those who listed to interpellate to be able to interpellate I would like put on the record, kawawa po ang ating minority leader, he’s a one -man debate team, siya na lang po ang nakikipagdebate (our minority leader is a one-man debate team, he was debating it alone),” he said. /ee