Lacson on ‘coffee table’ remark: Enrile’s forgotten how it works

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JAM STA. ROSA

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile may have been “out too long” or has forgotten how laws are made when he said that the Senate practices “coffee table” legislation, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson defended the legislative process in the Senate after Enrile said that in the current Senate, legislative measures were discussed over a “coffee table” without any debate.

READ: Enrile hits ‘coffee table’ legislation in Senate

“I don’t know what ‘coffee table’ legislation he’s talking about. He may have been out too long or he has forgotten how legislation works,” Lacson told reporters in a text message.

Lacson said that bills and resolutions were “thoroughly” debated before being passed on the second or third reading.

He also noted that the controversy of the “pork barrel” in the 2019 national budget was a product of plenary hearings and interpellations.

“Exactly why there is controversy involving the already outlawed “pork barrel” being talked about now – it was a product of plenary interpellations on the national budget,” he said.

Lacson has been exposing alleged “pork barrel” insertions in the 2019 national budget.

READ: Lacson bares new kickback scheme using parked pork

READ: Lacson declares 2019 as year of the earth pig

READ: Lacson scrutinizes pork in proposed 2019 national budget

READ: Lacson: Pampanga, CamSur seen to get huge budget insertions

Enrile earlier said that he decided to run for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections as he saw the need for the Senate to become a “forum” to “drumbeat” all important local and national issues that would affect the country.

Senate President Vicente Sotto earlier defended the Senate legislative process, saying that bills and resolutions undergo long debates before passage. /cbb

READ: Sotto to Enrile: What ‘coffee table’ discussion?