Legarda: We’re all guilty of breaking Senate decorum sometimes

Senator Loren Legarda file photo (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Recognizing that lawmakers are humans too, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Thursday confessed she is also guilty of breaching the senate decorum sometimes.

Legarda said this in view of discussions about the supposed lack of decorum of some senators, as observed by former Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Drilon had criticized the atmosphere during Senate sessions that he described as “noisy.”

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

“I take my job so seriously. So when I notice some [senators] breaking the decorum, because people are humans, then, I tell my colleagues in a nice way. I always do,” Legarda said in an interview.

“But sometimes, I break it as well. My voice is, sometimes, too loud. It happens. I would be guilty sometimes.”

The lawmaker said she “takes to heart” the huge task on the shoulders of senators.

She said the legislators must pay close attention to what they do in and out of the chamber’s halls.

Legarda also pointed out the growing power of social media in immortalizing the words and actions of public officials.

She said this calls for senators to be more cautious of how they behave.

“We should be conscious of that… Decorum is so important because we must earn respect,” she urged her colleagues.

“The respect is inherent in our position, but we must also earn it and maintain that respect,” Legarda added.

Unparliamentary remarks

When asked to comment on other senators’ controversial statements and string of curses during sessions and committee hearings, Legarda said these could simply be stricken off the record.

She noted, however, there are rules in the Senate that prohibit these contentious remarks.

Under the chamber’s rules, any “offensive or improper” act or language of a senator that is directed to another senator or any public institution will be deemed “unparliamentary.”

Legarda said they could call the attention or remind their colleagues to maintain the decorum.

But is there a definite sanction?

Legarda was unsure, as she asked her staff to double-check this information.

Senate rules state that a member of the chamber may be punished “for disorderly behavior” upon the recommendation of the ethics and privileges panel.

If at least two-thirds of the entire membership agrees, the senator, who is the subject of the complaint, may be suspended or expelled.

The suspension should not be more than 60 days.

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