Press Release - Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Co-sponsorship speech

Mr. President, I consider it as a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve this chamber alongside Senator, now Secretary, Sonny Angara. Today, it is my honor to co-sponsor Senate Resolution No. 1070, expressing gratitude and commendation to Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, for his invaluable contributions to the Senate and to the nation as a Senator of the Philippines.

We have witnessed him carry and take charge of massive responsibilities. I need not think too much for the perfect example. After all, ever since I started out, Senator Sonny has been the Chair of the Committee on Finance.

We are all in awe of how Senator Sonny navigated through every line item, every proposal, every amendment in the thousands of pages of the national budget. Walang tulugan. Walang katapusang pag-aaral at paghahanap ng paraan upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan.

And he never wavered in listening to every earnest proposal. When this representation was given the responsibility to sponsor the budget of the Department of National Defense and other key agencies, Senator Angara stood as a reliable pillar of support. Thank you, Senator Sonny, for exposing me to the national budget as one of your Vice Chairmen.

At noong tayo naman ang tumayo at nakiusap, nagbakasakali, na sana'y madagdagan ang budget ng Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, walang ibang tugon si Senator Sonny kundi taos-pusong tulong at suporta. Truly, love, in this case, love for country, always finds a way.

In addition to the annual General Appropriations Act, as Chair of the Committee on Finance, Senator Angara also ably sponsored the passage of two laws that strike right at the heart of public service.

First, Republic Act No. 11712 or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowance for Health Workers Act. Sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, tumayo at lumaban si Senator Angara para sa ating mga healthcare worker.

Second is Republic Act No. 11696 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act. While no one can ever dream to undo the damage dealt by war, we can, nevertheless, give the survivors a fighting chance at rebuilding their lives. And that,