Drilon: Opposition to continue to fiscalize in Senate

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Tuesday stressed the need to respect the results of the recently concluded May polls despite its “flaws and weaknesses.”

“The people have spoken. I respect it,” Senate Minority Franklin Drilon said in a text message to reporters.

“For the opposition, there may be less in numbers now but we will continue to fiscalize in the Senate,” he said.

Aside from Drilon, the five other opposition members in the Senate are Senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Trillanes, Bam Aquino and Leila de Lima.

Trillanes’ term will expire in June, De Lima is detained over drug charges while Aquino ran for another term but an unofficial tally showed him not part of the Magic 12.

Senator Panfilo Lacson emphasized the need to respect the voice of the majority “but without abandoning our responsibility to continue our vigilance against abuses and wrongdoings of those given the mandate to serve.”

“When the dust has finally settled and all the winners have been officially proclaimed, let us bear in mind that we are all Filipinos who love democracy, no matter the flaws and weaknesses,” Lacson said in a statement.

“What is important is that we respect the voice of the majority but without abandoning our responsibility to continue our vigilance against abuses and wrongdoings of those given the mandate to serve.”

“Remember, we may not be their masters, but definitely, they are our servants,” he added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, noted how having the last name is no longer an assurance in winning the elections.

“All of the sudden, dynasties are under threat. Your last name is not an assurance anymore,” Gatchalian said in a Twitter post.

He then enumerated the areas where known political clans have lost in the May polls like the Estradas in San Juan and Manila.

The unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) showed former President Joseph Estrada trailing behind Francis “Isko Moreno” Domagoso in the mayoralty race in Manila.

Estrada’s granddaughter, Janella Ejercito Estrada, lost to Francis Zamora in the fight for San Juan mayor. Janella is the son of former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is also trailing in the senatorial race also based on the PCCRV’s tally.

“2019 is a year when dynasties became under threat,” Gatchalian added. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)