(Photo: Philippine News Agency)
Senator Panfilo Lacson defended the Senate against the criticisms thrown by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who said that the upper chamber renders its tasks, especially in lawmaking, at such a slow pace.
The speaker’s “assault” against the Senate was “at the very least uncalled for and smacks of unparliamentary conduct,” Lacson said in a text message.
He pointed out the independence of the Senate and their principle to never allow anyone to influence their decisions, not even those who play bigger roles in the government.
“The Senate works differently from the House in that we think and act more independently as individual members. Nobody, not the Senate President and even the President of the Republic can dictate on us,” Lacson said.
This is not the first time that Alvarez was criticized for demeaning the performance of the Senate and comparing it to the accomplishments of the House of Representatives. He also took a swipe from Pimentel and Senator Franklin Drilon earlier.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 01/ 08 / 18)