Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said he considers the year 2023 as a banner year for the Senate with the passage of numerous important bills and resolutions aimed at boosting the Philippine economy, generate jobs and expand social protection for the people.

The Senate was able to enact into law 32 measures that are of national and local importance from January to December of this year.

Among the chief legislative accomplishments of the Senate was the signing into law of the P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“I am very proud to say that this is a banner year for the Senate with the passage of numerous important measures and resolutions,” Zubiri said.

“I congratulate each and every senator for a job well done and for a very productive year,” the Senate leader also said.

It was this year that the Senate helped expedite the passage into law of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF)—the Philippines’ first ever sovereign wealth fund that would optimize national funds to support the Marcos administration’s economic goals.

On top of the MIF, the Senate also enacted other landmark measures this year such as the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage Through Cultural Mapping, R.A. No. 11964 or An Act Institutionalizing The Automatic Income Classification of LGUs (local government units).

Other key measures that the Senate passed this year also include The Public Private Partnership Act, which seeks to mobilize private resources to finance infrastructure projects related to transportation, healthcare, internet, supply chain and logistics among others, and the Internet Transactions Act, which seeks to provide much-needed protection to consumers in online transactions.

The Senate also helped usher the passage of the measures into law the Republic Act No. 11939, or An Act Further Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); RA No. 11953, or An Act Emancipating Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries from Financial Burden by Condoning All Principal Loans, Unpaid Amortizations and Interests and Exempting Payment of Tax on Agricultural Lands Awarded under CARP; R.A. 11960 or the One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program; and R.A 11962 or the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, which establishes the National Employment Master Plan.

One of the highlights of the Senate’s performance this year was the investigation of the Senate Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality into the controversial religious cult group or the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).

The Senate’s investigation into the controversy surrounding the religious group highlighted the human trafficking, sexual abuse on women and children, rape, exploitation, forced labor happening in Sitio Kapihan, Socorro, Surigao Del Norte.

The Senate probe into the SBSI also highlighted the need to address environmental concerns especially in far-flung areas.

Early in January 2023, the Senate also conducted an inquiry into the technical glitch that hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that affected thousands of passengers and flights on New Year’s Day.

Eventually, in March 2023, Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services released a committee report on the fiasco citing the need to hold Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials, including its former leadership, to be held accountable for the power glitch at the country’s airport.

The Senate also resumed its hearings on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as senators push for a stop on all POGO operations believing they are harmful to the country.

Under Zubiri’s leadership, the Senate concurred in the ratification of important treaties, particularly Resolution No. 42, Concurring in the Ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Resolution No. 42 is envisioned to widen and enhance trade and investment opportunities for the Philippines, especially with RCEP member-states.

The Senate also concurred in the ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention No. 190 or the "Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.” The ratification will benefit and protect not only workers here in the country, but also overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against abuse and gender-based violence.

The Senate also concurred in the ratification of the agreement between the Philippine government and the government of Brunei Darussalam for the avoidance of double taxation.

It was also during this year that the Senate voted to concur in the Ratification of the Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Korea.

Despite China’s relentless harassment in the West Philippine Sea, the Senate also stood its ground in condemning the continuous bullying of Chinese militia vessels against the country’s vessels in its own maritime territory.

To amplify the country’s security and defense capabilities, the Upper Chamber also worked hard this year to increase the funds for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other of its attached agencies, and also gave significant increases in the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard.

“This highlights our shared vision of promoting the welfare of the people and the nation,” Zubiri said.

“The products of the Senate’s legislative mill this 2023 are a testament to our commitment to improve the life of every Filipino by crafting new laws that will boost the economy, generate jobs and expand social protection,” the Senate leader stressed.