Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero adjourned the third regular session of the 19th Congress in a speech marked with wit, warmth, and a dash of banter with his colleagues.

Escudero delivered his sine die adjournment speech on Wednesday night, June 11, with heartfelt thanks, humorous jabs, and reflections on collegial unity.

He took the floor to cap off a long stretch of legislative work, noting with irony that most of the formal thanks, praises, and commendations had already been given earlier in the session during the valedictory speeches of outgoing senators.

“Wala na akong mababanggit (There's nothing left for me to mention),” he quipped. “Naangkin na rin ang lahat ng panukalang batas (Everyone has already taken credit for the bills we passed).”

Escudero expressed gratitude to his fellow senators and the often-unseen workforce of the Senate—the staff and the secretariat—who, he noted, had borne the brunt of a “bugbog” schedule both inside and outside the halls of the Upper Chamber in the past two weeks.

Still, the Senate President didn’t pass up the chance to drop some good-natured jokes aimed at his colleagues.

To Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Escudero offered mock forgiveness for every long-winded interpellation.

“Naiinis ako, pero pag natapos siya, may punto naman talaga (I get annoyed, but when he's done, he actually makes a good point),” Escudero said, admitting the exchanges left him “mas naging matalino (more intelligent).”

He praised Senator Nancy Binay’s quiet demeanor, joking she could easily use Senator Mark Villar’s tagline for herself and teasing her for not complaining even when the air-conditioning was turned off by their colleague, Senator Loren Legarda.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. earned a sentimental thank-you for personal advice on family, with Escudero saying he’d miss their conversations in the lounge and plenary.

But it was Senator Grace Poe who drew the most tender tribute.

“I think I will miss you the most,” Escudero said.

“Not because I need something from you, but because no one will pester me anymore.” He noted her growth since her first Senate term and said he believed her parents, the late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, would be proud of her accomplishments.

Escudero emphasized that all the laws and resolutions passed were made possible not just by sponsors or authors but also by the unheralded Senate employees. He called for a round of recognition for their indispensable support.

Reflecting on recent political turbulence, he reminded his colleagues not to judge each other based on past political alignments.

“That does not in any way define us,” he stressed.

“Lahat ng miyembro, buo ang aking tiwala na nasa isip at puso nila ang kapakanan ng bayan ("I have complete trust that every member has the welfare of the nation in their mind and heart),” he added.

As he closed, Escudero looked back on his earlier departure from the Senate in 2019 and signaled that no real goodbyes are necessary. “Hindi ako magpapaalam (I won't say goodbye),” he said.

“Ang sasabihin ko, hanggang sa muli nating pagkikita (What I’ll say is, until we meet again),” he added.

Escudero ended the evening on a hopeful note: “I look forward to working with you in government, in the Senate, and anywhere, in the name and service of the Filipino people.”