Pimentel on Alvarez: ‘No factions, we are good friends’

EXTENDED. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez preside over the Congress’ joint session at the House of Representatives to decide on President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao on Wednesday (December 13,2017). In a 240-27 vote, the Congress granted the extension of martial law in the region from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2018. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

The Ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Senate President Aquilino Pimintel III on Sunday has denied rumors that there are on-going factions between him and his party mate Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez following the Speaker’s remarks against Senate calling it a “mabagal na kapulungan” [slow congress].

Pimentel said that he and Alvarez remain friends despite the exchange of words. He stressed that they are just teasing each other.

“No. Walang factions [There are no factions]. We will all enjoy the birthday party of Speaker in Davao/ Tagum. We are good friends. Nag-tutuksuhan lang kami [We were just bantering],” the Senate president told reporters in a text message. Alvarez will celebrate his birthday on January 10.

Alvarez earlier criticized the Senate’s slow deliberation and approval of proposed measures.

Pimentel, in response, said that Senate is the thinking chamber in the Congress and its mindset would always be “quality over quantity.”

“Let us not judge lawmaking in terms of number of laws passed but in terms of how the laws we pass improve the quality of life on earth in general and the quality of life of Filipinos in particular,” he said.

“Of course there are many more bills emanating from the House because local bills originate from the House. All bills renaming and or merging schools, increasing hospital beds, etc, must and do come from the House,” he added.

Political affiliation

Senator Minority Leader Franklin Drilon earlier urged Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to be “more vigilant in defending the independence and integrity of the Senate” regardless of political affiliation.

He added that Pimentel, as a Senator, has the obligation to defend the Senate as an institution of democracy.

“He (Pimentel) must rise above partisan political interest to defend the senate regardless of his political affiliation. Otherwise, the senate, unfortunately, becomes irrelevant as an institution of democracy in our system of governance,” Drilon said.

Pimentel, for his part, said that he already defended the Senate by responding to his party mate’s remarks.

“I have already defended the Senate by responding to what the Speaker has said. Drilon belongs to the Liberal Party while the Speaker and I belong to the PDP (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan). Hence, why should I do that?” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters.