Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan welcomed the convening of a special session of the Senate, emphasizing the need to restore focus on the chamber’s legislative agenda and address the urgent concerns of the people.
Malacañang called for a special Senate session for Wednesday, June 17, to break the weeks-long leadership deadlock in the Senate and fast-track social protection measures, access to education, and health care initiatives.
For the four-term lawmaker, who also hailed the election of Senator Win Gatchalian as the new Senate President, the special session is an opportunity for senators to return to the chamber’s core mandate of crafting policies and enacting measures to improve the lives of Filipinos amid ongoing economic and social challenges.
“Let’s get back to work. Let’s get back to business. Let’s start fulfilling our mandate and answering the call of our people to lower food prices, ensure food security, create jobs, and improve their lives,” he said.
Pangilinan, who underscored the need for deliberations and bipartisan cooperation to advance key legislative priorities, expressed hope that all members of the Senate would work together in a spirit of professionalism and respect for democratic institutions.
This, he said, would ensure that legislative discussions would remain focused on solutions that benefit the nation, especially as the Mindanao region suffers from the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
The senator has recently filed a bill seeking an additional P15 billion in funding to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by the quake that struck offshore Sarangani on June 8.
“Sa panahon na hinahanap ng ating mga kababayan ang kanilang mga lider, mahalaga na ibuhos natin ang atensyon at sigasig natin sa pagpapasa ng mga batas na makakatulong sa kanila at makakapagbigay solusyon sa mga problemang hinaharap ng ating bansa,” Pangilinan said.