Sotto: To eschew Senate in Cha-cha process is ‘unacceptable’

As Congress opened its third and last regular session on Monday, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III issued a strong message against any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution without the Senate.

Instead of enumerating the accomplishments of the chamber, Sotto focused on the importance of the Senate amid persist talks of changing the Constitution even without the participation of the Senate.

The Senate leader noted how the Senate is needed in the crafting of legislations, even in mere changing the names of schools and roads.

“If our consent is needed in small things, more so in bigger things,” Sotto said in his speech.

“To say or even insinuate that we are unnecessary and irrelevant is unacceptable. I don’t wish to preside during my watch over the necrological services of the Philippine Senate. Especially so today, when we are confronted wit a number of momentous choices affecting our nation,” he added.

He said the Senate has an “integrity to defend and an honor to die for.”

“The memories of the giants who sat in this august hall will forever hound us if we drop the ball at this crucial hour,” said the Senate leader.

Sotto then urged his colleagues to “listen with our hearts and minds” when they convene the joint of session of Congress for President Rordrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) later in the afternoon.

Sotto asked colleagues to do what is best for the country.

Twenty-two of 23 senators were present during the opening of session in the Senate. Only Senator Leila de Lima, who has been detained at Camp Crame for drug charges, was absent. /kga