Silent but ‘deadly’–that’s Sen. Lito Lapid

ONE of the quietest senators has turned out to be one of the most hardworking.

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid has quietly filed a total of 239 measures, placing fifth among the most prolific members of the upper chamber.

The most active senator is Miriam Defensor-Santiago (882 bills filed), followed by Jinggoy Estrada (581), Manuel Villar (539) and Antonio Trillanes IV (394).

It was an achievement of sorts for Lapid, who has not been as diligent as his colleagues in attending sessions and committee hearings, or making his voice heard in debate. He even bested Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who filed only 40 bills and resolutions.

Sen. Joker Arroyo came in last among the 23 senators with only 17 measures filed, according to records of the Senate bills and index division.

Lapid’s proposed bills include the Meat Labelling Act of 2011, Comprehensive Unilateral Hearing Loss Research and Development and Rehabilitation Act, Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act, Corporate Social Responsibility Act, Kindergarten Education Act, and the Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Act.

Santiago made the records available to media, trumpeting her achievement as a way of sending “the message that the main task of the Senate is legislation and not criminal investigation.”