Yearender: A banner year for Senate; minority stands its ground

MANILA, Philippines — The past year was a productive one for the Senate.

While 20 of the 24 senators belong to the majority, the minority did not give up without a fight.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri considered 2023 a banner year for the chamber, marked by the timely passage of several critical measures, notably the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

During the 19th Congress, the Senate highlighted the concerted efforts of all 24 senators who advocated for and advanced measures aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos. The Senate enacted 31 national laws and numerous local bills.

Topping the accomplishments was the passage of the national budget on time, thus averting the need for a reenacted budget for 2024 – sans the controversial confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), including that of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

Aside from agreeing to remove the CIFs from civilian agencies of the government, the senators are also united in their stand against China over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. The Senate adopted a resolution “strongly condemning” China’s incessant incursions in the WPS.

However, despite the condemnation, China continued to be aggressive in its claim in the WPS and made several water cannon attacks on small Philippine ships doing resupply missions in the area.

The Senate took the initiative to allocate an additional P8.48 billion – including funds for defense equipment – for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Department of National Defense, and P2.8 billion for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to acquire three substantial ships to help counter China’s aggression.

The minority bloc, composed of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Deputy Risa Hontiveros, was outnumbered by the super majority, but they were never outfought. Both Pimentel and Hontiveros stood for several hours during the plenary session to make a point about some controversial issues.

Pimentel raised concerns about the constitutionality of the national budget, particularly the addition of P450 billion in unprogrammed funds by the bicameral conference committee. He is poised to consult with other lawyers for