Graft-tainted Congress opens second regular session

MANILA, Philippines—Gavels were banged as the second regular session of the 16th Congress opened Monday morning, six hours ahead of the fifth national address of President Benigno Aquino III.

This came while the Philippine Congress is being hounded by allegations of a massive corruption with some lawmakers allegedly pocketing millions of pesos in kickbacks from their discretionary funds.

In the Senate, three members were conspicuously absent when Senate President Franklin Drilon formally opened the session.

The three were Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revila Jr., who have been charged with plunder and graft for allegedly taking millions of pesos in kickback from illegally diverted Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF). They have been detained at the Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Except for Revilla, both Enrile  and Estrada have been suspended from the chamber on orders of the Sandiganbayan.

Also notably absent during  the opening of  Congress was Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who has been on a sick leave. The feisty senator shocked the nation when she announced on July 2 that she has been battling lung cancer.

In the lower chamber, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. opened the session with the ruling Liberal Party needing to flex its political muscle to battle three impeachment complaints filed against its chairman, President Aquino.

And while three Senate members were charged with plunder over the “pork” barrel scam, only former congressmen were included in the plunder and graft complaints filed before the Ombudsman. Charges have yet to be filed in the Sandiganbayan.

However, some 16 incumbent members of the House of Representatives are included in the supposed Napoles’ list of lawmakers who allegedly dipped their fingers into the “pork” barrel.

This afternoon, Aquino will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address at a joint session of Congress.

RELATED STORIES

Sona most crucial for Aquino, say solons

Promises, promises 2013