Neophyte senators must welcome, take Drilon’s critique on decorum lapses in stride— Sotto

Former Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III extols the life and achievements of the late Sen. Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon during the necrological service Monday, June 19, 2023 at the Senate plenary hall. Senate PRIB / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Avoiding decorum faux pas is the smart choice.

The observations and criticisms from former senator Franklin Drilon should be welcomed and taken in stride by neophyte legislators, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III said on Monday.

On the sidelines of the necrological service for late former senator Rodolfo Biazon, reporters asked Sotto how lawmakers of the 19th Congress should react to Drilon’s statements that there seems to be a lack of decorum during the Senate’s sessions and committee hearings.

Drilon, a former Senate president himself, urged incumbent Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri last Thursday to show displeasure at the supposed erosion of the legislative body’s prestige.

“They should welcome such observations, ‘yong mga criticisms at saka observations lalo na no’ng mga antigo ay dapat pinakikinggan.  We’ve done that before, I was a fledgling senator in 1992 and I heard all of it from (Ernesto) Maceda, (Edgardo) Angara, (Arturo) Tolentino, ‘yong mga kasabay ko, sila Bobby Tañada.  So you learn from the old guys,” Sotto said.

(They should welcome such observations, the criticisms and observations especially from “antique” legislators, they should listen to it.  We’ve done that before, I was a fledgling senator in 1992 and I heard all of it from Maceda, Angara, Tolentino, other guys like Bobby Tañada.  So you learn from the old guys.)

“Parang ‘yong mga debate ‘yan eh, pagka ikaw ay tunay na legislator, kung ikaw ay nakikipag-debate, nakikipag-sigawan ka sa plenary, pero ‘pag labas do’n magkaibigan kayo, tapos ang usapan. Dapat gano’n, so ‘yong mga criticism saka ‘yong mga gano’n, dapat you take it as a learning step.” he added.  “They should take it in stride, and ‘ika nga try to follow tradition.  It’s as simple as that.”

(It’s like the debates, if you are a true legislator, you can debate and raise your voice inside the plenary but once you are outside you can be friends, discussions are over.  That should be the case, so criticisms and observations should be taken as a learning step.  They should take it in stride, and as they say try to follow tradition.  It’s as simple as that.)

Drilon last Thursday told the media that Zubiri “must draw the line” by showing “displeasure with what’s happening” in the Senate.  Drilon, whose last stint in the Senate was during the 18th Congress, was referring to the noise heard during sessions, and an apparent lack of decorum during proceedings.

READ: “Very noisy session”: Drilon asks Zubiri to bring back prestige of Senate 

READ: Drilon: Some senators showing ‘lack of decorum’ 

Sotto, Senate president during the 18th Congress, said that he concurs with Drilon’s observations but also believes that the situation would improve eventually as it has been less than a year since neophyte senators were in office.

“Perhaps […] some of the members of the 19th Congress have been in office only for a year ‘di ba (right).  So baka naman (Maybe), well I will have to concur with what Senator Drilon has said, but it doesn’t mean that it will not improve, you know, we’re barely one year there, so medyo ano ‘yon, I’m sure some of the members would be able to follow tradition,” he said.

“I think that’s the most important thing that they have to realize, there is a tradition that is followed in the Senate, and it should be followed,” he added.

Drilon who was also present during the necrological services for Biazon said he too was lectured when he was a neophyte — and he listened to what his seniors had to say.

“Well I think we should end the debate, I have delivered my message, it’s up to the Senate and the Senate leadership what to do, if any.  But I believe that I sincerely put on record what I thought should be done — they are the elected representatives, it’s really their call,” Drilon said in a separate interview.

“Well I cannot speak for them but when I was a neophyte senator, I was told by the elders: makinig ka muna, ‘wag ka munang sumali sa usapan, makinig ka and that’s exactly what I did.  For six months I just listened and learned the rules,” he added.

(Well I cannot speak for them but when I was a neophyte senator, I was told by the elders: listen to us first, do not engage in discussions yet, just listen, and that’s exactly what I did.  For six months I just listened and learned the rules.)

In a statement on Saturday, one of the new legislators in Senator Robinhood Padilla fired back at Drilon, saying that they are taking the job seriously as they inherited a grave problem.

Padilla said the Senate of the 19th Congress is not trying to be funny as the problems require immediate solutions.

READ: Padilla hits back at Drilon: ‘New Senate members are taking jobs seriously’ 

JPV/abc