Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon par excellence.
This was how Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III defined the work ethic of Drilon as Minority Floor Leader during the hybrid plenary session Wednesday, February 2, 2022.
Sotto thanked Drilon, who, like him, is ending his term as senator in June, for a work well done and for studying all the bills.
Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri seconded Sotto’s observation, saying Drilon helped the Senate when measures are for the good of the country and commended him for always being present, either physically or online, “watching the proceedings with eagle eyes.”
Sotto said if his presidential candidate, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson wins, they would not allow Drilon, a former Labor Secretary and Justice Secretary, to retire.
As a former Senate Minority Leader himself, Sotto said Drilon studied all the bills ‘’which is a difficult thing to do.’’
Zubiri noted that Drilon, 76, was never absent and attended Senate session on the floor or online, every day in the last six years.
He said that bills, when Drilon handled them, were improved or enhanced.
Zubiri emphasized that Drilon, a former Senate President, helped his fellow senators and ‘’when there are measures ...(they are) for the good of the country.’’
He pointed out that Drilon handled his role efficiently and never left his job to his subordinates.
Zubiri said ‘’we can’t lose a great man to oblivion.’’
The Senate and the House of Representatives go on a months-long election recess starting tomorrow.
They will resume regular session on May 23. The 18th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 3.