Speaking before alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri says that he is hoping that they stand with the Senate in protecting the 1987 Constitution.

"I am hopeful that our men and women of the PMA are with us in our stand to protect the Constitution," Zubiri said on Saturday, Feb. 17, during his speech at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming where he was the guest of honor and speaker.

"We may wield different tools and weapons, but we all play a vital role in defending our nation and our people," Zubiri said.

Zubiri brought up the topic of Charter change (Cha-cha), wherein he noted how the Senate has always been a safe place for ideas.

He also beamed with pride about his Senate colleagues, which he said has been very vocal in opposing foreign aggression and more consistent in condemning the harassment of the country's soldiers, sailors, and fishermen.

"Make no mistake—while we in the Senate do not face the same dangers
that you do out in the field, we also, in our way, uphold the freedoms that you stand for," he said.

He expressed defiance to being told that "politics stops at the water’s edge."

"We all have a stake in our sovereignty, and we in the Senate are proud to use our power and our platform to stand with our brave men and women in uniform, in defense of our nation," he said.

Zubiri noted in particular the Senate's "impassioned" defense of the West Philippine Sea, where he said China’s aggression and incursions have not only encroached upon the country's sovereignty, but imperiled the lives of the people.

"We our proud to advocate for our fisherfolk who are simply trying to make a living. We are proud to use our reach and influence of to bring China’s condemnable actions into the headlines. And we are proud to make the rest of the world take notice, and most crucially, to take our side," he added.

On a different note, he mentioned how some PMAers became "accidental politicians", like some senators, "because the people want them there".

Zubiri was referring to former senators Pong Biazon, Ping Lacson, Greg Honasan, and incumbent senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, whom he considered to be great combatants in the arena of policy-making.

In the same speech, he also highlighted some of the Senate's efforts in budget allocation.


He also described as an investment the study and development of the country's marine assets by helping the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) with the acquisition of additional vessels, as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) allocation worth P500,000,000 for the development and enhancement of marine stations, "where we can better account for our islands and our marine life".

On top of this, he said that the Senate continues to develop
legislation in support of the military's evolving military needs.

These include amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act; approval of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act or the SRDP; the approval on third reading of the bill that seeks to reorganize the Philippine National Police (PNP); and the Military and Uniformed Personnel Services Separation, Retirement, and Pension Act, which is already at an advanced stage in the Senate.