Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday, July 22, said the Senate will remain steadfast and unyielding in defending the country’s sovereignty. 

Escudero made the promise in his speech during the opening of the 19^th Congress’ Third Regular Session this morning.

“Make no mistake about it, this Senate is unanimous and unbending in defending our country’s independence and sovereignty,” Escudero said.

“Tayo’y makikipagkaibigan pero hindi tayo pasisiil. Tayo’y makikipag-usap, pero hindi tayo magpapaapi (We will make friends but we will not allow ourselves to be pressured. We will engage in dialogues, but we will not allow ourselves to be oppressed),” he said.

As such, the Senate he said will prioritize the approval of proposed laws similar to the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act which aims to strengthen the Philippines’ territorial claims. The measure is now pending President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signature. 

The Senate is also bent on pushing for laws that would strengthen the country’s military.

“We will strengthen our military, not to ignite any conflict, but in order to secure the peace,” Escudero said.
 

The Senate leader also said he will push for measures aimed at protecting the rights of Filipinos to navigate and fish in their own waters.

“We will take peaceful measures to defend our people’s right to sail in our seas and fish in our waters—as what our ancestors had done, and what our children shall do,” he said.

 

The senator stressed it is important to exercise diplomacy and maintain strong ties with other countries.

“Indeed, we must work towards bridging these troubled waters,” Escudero urged. 
 

“I am confident that we shall overcome whatever disagreements we may have with any of our neighbors, given our centuries-old amicable relations with them, where this point in time in our current history, to me, is a mere speck,” he said.