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

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

By: - Reporter / @BPinlacINQ
/ 05:05 PM June 22, 2023

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.

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.

Article continues after this advertisement

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

FEATURED STORIES

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.

Article continues after this advertisement

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

Article continues after this advertisement

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

Article continues after this advertisement

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.

Article continues after this advertisement

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.

RELATED STORIES:

Senate decorum being redefined as celebrity pols bring crassness

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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

APL
TAGS: decorum, Legarda, Senate

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.