Divorce, death penalty bills not among Senate priorities

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Senate of the Philippines President Francis Escudero bangs the gavel to officially open the 3rd Regular Session of the 19th Congress in Pasay City on Monday (July 22, 2024). (PNA Photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero does not consider the divorce and death penalty bills controversial but neither are they among their priorities.

At the press briefing on Monday after opening the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress, Escudero said the two bills will undergo regular process.

“It will proceed. I don’t consider them actually controversial. It will just have to go through the test of the legislative process and mill. I think one is with the committee and one (divorce) is pending in plenary already,” he said.

He cited the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill which is also being pushed by some sectors.

Escudero said it has been assigned to a subcommittee and went through the ordinary process of legislation.

“Kaya nga umabot sa plenaryo. Kaya lang nag-interpolate ako syempre at kung dumating sa punto ng botohan boboto ako laban doon,” (That’s why it reached the plenary. But I interpolated of course and when it reaches the voting process, I will vote against it),” Escudero said, adding that voting against ROTC is a personal view. (PNA)

The Senate President further explained that special committees are usually created if the bill is urgent or there is a conflict of interest with the committee chairperson.

Before adjourning its second regular session last May 22, the House of Representatives already approved the Divorce bill.

Cha-cha

Escudero further announced that the Senate will not prioritize bills on proposed charter change (cha-cha) “to give way to more important measures that genuinely enhance the lives of Filipinos.”

He confirmed that cha-cha proposals would be placed on the back burner and follow the standard legislative process, if considered at all.

“In its stead, bills which can effect the same result— but without the needless political noise and bickering — will be prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures which the people truly need,” he added.

Escudero said that senators will focus on the common legislative agenda forged with the executive branch and the House of Representatives, pointing out that “legislation is not a one-way process.”