Escudero: Senate not to waste time on bills that will not become a law

Newly-installed Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero extols his predecessor, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, for the achievements he accomplished, including reforms he instituted in the Senate, in his more than two years as the chief of the institution. Escudero, who had just taken his oath as the new Senate President on Monday, May 20, 2024, thanked Zubiri for his patience, diligence, and love for the country and the Senate as an institution. (Mark Pimentel/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will no longer waste time on measures that would not get its approval anyway, its newly-installed president, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, said on Thursday.

In a Kapihan sa Senado forum, Escudero was asked about the new leadership’s priority measures when the 3rd regular session of Congress resumes in July.

But for now, Escudero said he could not say yet, pending assessment.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ako naging bahagi ng Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) kailanman. Hindi ako bahagi ng pulong na ‘yun. Ni hindi ko kabisado at alam kung anu-ano ba yung mga… measures,” Escudero admitted.

(Honestly, I have never been a part of the Ledac. I‘ve never been a part of that group. I don’t even memorize and know what the measures are.)

Ledac is a consultative and advisory body to the President, tasked with tackling specific programs and policies essential to the administration’s economic goals.

“Kung may priority measure na hindi naman papasa sa Senado, hindi na namin pag aaksayahan ng panahon at sasabihin namin sa Malacañang. Sayang lang naman ang igugugol na oras din eh,” said Escudero.

(If there is a priority measure and we see that it will not hurdle the Senate, we will not waste time and tell Malacañang. It’s just a waste of time.)

Emphasizing his fourteen years of experience as a lawmaker, Escudero said he is well-versed in determining whether a bill would conveniently hurdle Congress.

“I have been in Congress for fourteen years, I know and memorize almost how to pass, what not to pass and what bills will be difficult to pass and easy to pass,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Escudero did not elaborate on what specific measure the Senate would “not waste time” on. But when asked if this includes proposed measures pushing for Charter change, he said in Filipino: “[It’s] possible.”

Escudero took his oath as the 25th Senate President of the Philippines on May 20. He admitted to initiating the ouster plot against his predecessor, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.