Former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on Monday, June 19, sought an end to the debate on his observation last week that the first regular season of the 19th Congress was “very noisy” and “lacked decorum.”
Former Sen. Franklin Drilon attends the Senate’s necrological services for former Sen. Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon on Monday, June 19, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo)
“I have delivered. It’s up to the Senate and the Senate leadership what to do. I believe I sincerely put on record what I thought should be done,” Drilon said in an interview after the necrological services for former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon at the Senate building today.
“But they are the elective representatives, it’s really their call,” Drilon added.
Interviewed after the event, Senators Robinhood C. Padilla and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa gave different reactions but are in agreement that they react to constructive criticisms.
Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said he would respect their opinion being his seniors.
“It is incumbent upon us how to adjust. Mga beterano na yan (They are veterans),” dela Rosa told Senate reporters.
But dela Rosa said he has to defend the brand of leadership of the current Senate President, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, from criticisms.
“Para bang lumalabas kulang siya ng kontrol kaya walang decorum sa plenaryo (it is as if he has no control that is why there appears to be the absence of decorum),” dela Rosa said.
“For me, so far maganda leadership (For me, Zubiri’s brand leadership is good)…Pinapakinggan kami lahat. Walang pinipili ke majority ka o minority (He listen to all sides, whether majority or minority),” he added.
No generational gap
For his part, Padilla said he does not feel a generational gap among the senators.
“Nasaktan ako para kay SP Zubiri at Joey (Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva). Nasaktan ako para sa kanya dahil wala pa naman ako matandaan na ako…Wala pa naman ako minura sa loob ng sesyon (I am hurt and I have to defend him because I cannot remember having insulted anyone inside the session hall),” Padilla said.
The movie actor-turned-senator also emphasized that Zubiri had tried to establish rapport inside the Senate.
Asked how those affected should take his criticism, Drilon replied: “I can’t speak for them.”
“But when I was a neophyte senator, I was told by the elders makinig ka muna, ‘wag ka munang sumali sa usapan, makinig ka (hear first what your elders are saying). And that’s why exactly for six months I just listened and learned the ropes,” he added.
Uphold Senate tradition
Former Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III also agreed with Drilon.
“Perhaps some of the members of the 19th Congress have been in office only for a year so baka naman (that might be it),” Sotto pointed out.
“Well, I have to concur with what Senator Drilon said but it doesn’t mean it will not improve. They are barely one year there so I’m sure some of the members will be able to follow tradition. I think that is the most important thing that they have to realize. There is a tradition that we need to follow,” he stressed.
“They should welcome such observations, mga criticism at (the criticisms and) observations lalo na ng mga antigo, ay dapat pinapakinggan They should hear what the veteran lawmakers say). I’ve done that before. I’ve heard it all from Maceda, Angara, Tolentino mga kasabay ko (whom I served with). Sina Bobby Tanada, you learn from the old guys,” Sotto suggested.
Queried on how those affected should take the observations that had appeared in social media and what Drilon had said, Sotto said they should not take it personally.
“Of course, parang ano mga debate yan kapag kaw ay tunay na legislator nakikipagsigawan ka sa plenary pero paglabas mo magkaibigan kayo tapos na usapan (If you are a true legislator, you can shout at each other at the plenary and part as friends after you leave the session hall). So, criticism you take it as a learning step,” he said.
‘Bato’ ready to mend his ways
Padilla has been criticized on social media for wearing a hoodie. Some netizens associate the wearing of a hoodie with being a “hoodlum.”
The senator was also hit for brushing his mustache while participating in a committee hearing.
In one of his hearings as chairman of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee investigating the P6.7-billion drug bust, dela Rosa kneeled before policemen accused of involvement and appealed for them to reveal the truth.
In that incident, Dela Rosa admitted having gone overboard saying he had “misgivings.”
“Meron din akong overboard din ako minsan sa committee hearings (In one committee, I have gone overboard). Meron akong misgivings ( I have misgivings),” he said.
“Nakalimutan ko minsan senador na ako. Akala ko pulis pa rin ako. Nake-carried away ako sa emosyon ko (I sometimes forget that I am already a senator. I thought I am still a policeman. I get carried away by my emotions),” he added.
“I’m sorry for that kung nasisira imahe ng Senado sa ganung ginagawa ko (I am sorry for that if the image of the Senate has been tarnished). I’m sorry for that. I’m ready to make amends,” dela Rosa stressed.