Aquino: LP Senate slate will ensure harmony in lawmaking
Comparing the branches of government to an orchestra, President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said the Liberal Party (LP)-led “Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid” would ensure a more harmonious and efficient lawmaking processes in the Senate.
During the LP’s announcement of its 12-member ticket, Aquino said the ruling party is aiming to have more elected allies in Congress to deliver a more positive message and to serve Filipinos in a better capacity.
“Ang hangad po natin, talagang maparami ang kabalikat natin ‘di lang sa Senado kundi sa buong Kongreso at maging sa ibang sangay ng gobyerno. Sa isip ko po: parang orkestra ang mga sangay ng pamahalaan. Kung iisa ang ating himig, di ba mas maganda ang naipaparating natin sa ating mga Boss?” Aquino said in his speech.
“Pero kung kanya-kanya ang ating diskarte, at lahat kailangang superstar, magiging sintunado tayo at di maganda ang tonong lalabas kundi ingay lang. Sa palagay ko, kung ganito ang takbo ng gobyerno, talagang babagal lang ang pagkamit natin sa ating mga mithiin,” he added.
READ: LP bares slate dubbed ‘Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid’
Noting that the LP has a “true tandem, track record, and platform,” Aquino said the coalition would live up to the party’s reform of good governance.
Article continues after this advertisement“Maliwanag nga na habang tagpi-tagpi ang grupo ng iba, tayo ang may totoong tandem. Tayo ang may totoong rekord at plataporma. Tayo ang nasa panig ng prinsipyo at reporma. Tayo ang Daang Matuwid,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Nagbabago na ang klima ng politika sa bansa: Sa aking pananaw at para sa ating mga Boss, mas matimbang ang prinsipyo. At ang LP at ang ating koalisyon, idiin ko lang: May pruweba na, may prinsipyo pa,” the President added.
The 12 members of the slate are Senate President Franklin Drilon, incumbent senators Teofisto “TG” Guingona III and Ralph Recto, former senators Francis Pangilinan and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, outgoing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, outgoing Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, outgoing Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Joel Villanueva, outgoing Senator Lito Lapid’s son Mark Lapid, former party-list representative Risa Hontiveros and neophytes Nariman Ambolodto and Cresente Paez.
BBL at stake
The President also brought up the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the subject of ongoing deliberations in Congress which have taken a backseat as the House turned its focus on passing the 2016 national budget.
“Isipin ninyo na lang: ‘Pag di naipasa ang BBL, ipagpapatuloy lang natin ang siklo ng hidwaan; tuloy lang na malulugmok ang mga kapatid natin sa gulo at kahirapan; at patutunayan lang natin ang mga pagkukulang ng ARMM, kung saan kahit isa lang ang maling mailagay sa puwesto ay apektado na ang kinabukasan ng lahat,” Aquino said.
“Sa itinutulak natin, ang mamumuno, talagang naglilingkod sa sambayanan; ang kanilang mga hangarin naman, ipinaparating sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga kinatawan. Malayong-malayo ito sa kinagisnan nating sitwasyon kung saan may warlord na nagdidikta sa kapalaran ng nakakarami, samantalang pinagtutuunan lang niya ng pansin ang pag-unlad ng kanyang angkan o tribo,” he added.
READ: Calls to certify BBL urgent ‘premature’—Palace | Too early to certify BBL bill urgent—Palace
Aquino also took a swipe at a certain senator who supposedly said that the BBL has no chance of being passed.
“Sa totoo lang, wala naman siyang iminumungkahing mas maganda, at sa pakiwari ko nga po ay wala siya talagang iminumungkahing iba—period. Ang gusto niya lang ay kumontra sa ating mga isinusulong. Sa tingin ko, mali ang pagkakaintindi niya sa ibig sabihin ng ‘lingkod-bayan,’” he said.
In August, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the BBL “has no chance of passing in the House of Representatives” and has a very slim chance of passing Senate as senators had already stopped talking about it. The son and namesake of the late dictator criticized the Aquino administration in his speech formally announcing his vice presidential bid on Saturday. AU
READ: Chances of BBL passing dead, says Marcos | Palace to Marcos: Prove claims vs admin
