Senate focuses on easing burden of overworked, underpaid Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will now place Charter change on the “backburner” to focus on more important laws that would ease the burden of overworked and underpaid Filipinos, according to its new chief.

In his speech at the opening of the third and final session of the 19th Congress, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the upper chamber would set aside issues that would only “dissipate” its energy and divide the public.

READ: ‘Charter change not in Senate priorities’

“For this same reason, pending bills on Charter change will be placed in the backburner, and will follow the ordinary and regular process of legislation, if at all,” he said.

“In its stead, bills which can effect the same result— but without the needless political noise and bickering — will be prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures [that] the people truly need,” he added.

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In particular, the Senate chief wants Congress to pass laws that would make life easier for the people.

“Our people are overworked, underpaid, and overburdened. A comfortable life has eluded them for generations,” Escudero lamented.

“I say that it is time to reframe our work — and pivot to laws that make life easier for our people,” he then said.

Although Congress has already passed a “raft of laws that ease the burden on big business,” Escudero questioned the absence of legislation that helps other sectors.

“Bakit walang (Why is there no) ease of commuting and connecting? Ease of finishing school and finding work? Ease of healthcare for the sick? Ease of acquiring justice? Ease of growing food and feeding our families?” he asked.

“Let us do the heavy work, and make hard decisions, to unburden the nation and uplift every Filipino. This is our unchanging mandate,” the Senate leader said.

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But crafting laws is not the only duty of the Senate; it also has the duty to right wrong policies, according to Escudero.

“To this end, irregularities will be probed. Relief will be provided, and justice will be pursued without letup,” he said.