MANILA, Philippines — As he is set to leave the Senate, graduating Senator Gringo Honasan II told his colleagues to “keep the faith” and “stay the course” of the country’s democracy.
Delivering his valedictory speech on Tuesday, Honasan offered a prayer to his fellow senators, thanking them with their work and asking them to be the “last bastion” of the country’s democracy.
“I ask the Chamber to please continue to keep the faith and stay the course and be the last bastion of our pluralistic democracy,” Honasan said.
“Thank you for standing guard over our institutions, and wow for the work we have done individually and collectively as this is a consensual and collegial chamber,” he added.
Honasan said he would look at his 21-year service at the Senate with “memories.”
“To all of you, thank you for the memories, thank you for the education, the affection, the support, and the understanding,” he said.
Honasan’s term will expire on June 30 as the 18th Congress senators are set to start their term on July 1.