A WORD war ensued between Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday over a resolution to override the President’s veto on a bill, seeking a P2,000 across-the-board-increase for Social Security System pensioners.
It all began after Escudero revealed that a resolution, expressing the sense of the Senate to override the veto, was being routed among senators.
But the resolution, Escudero said, was still short of the 16 signatures needed to have it approved in the plenary.
Drilon was quick to accuse Escudero of politicking and trying to “isolate” President Benigno Aquino III by overriding the veto.
“Political season is here.Talagang pulitika- pulitika. Wala ng iba kung hindi dahil sa pulitika,” the Senate leader said when sought for comment on the resolution.
Drilon pointed out that the override must come from the House of Representatives, and not from the Senate.
“That kind of a move is dictated by the politics of 2016 and I think it’s designed to isolate the President,” he said.
“It has no legal effect and therefore, it’s very clear na ito’y pamumulitika.”
Instead of imputing political color on the resolution, Escudero asked Drilon to explain the latter voted to approve the bill in the Senate.
“Ang mas sigurong dapat sagutin ni Senate President Drilon ay ito. Bakit bumoto siya noon para dito? Tapos ngayon parang biglang ayaw na niya,” Escudero said in a separate interview.
“At kung talagang ayaw niyang i-isolate ang pangulo sana ipinarating niya bilang Senate President at kapartido ni Pangulong Aquino, ang pananaw ni Pangulong Aquino ng hindi na gumastos pa ng pera, oras at panahon ang Senado sa isang panukala na ive-veto lang din naman pala ni Pangulong Aquino,” he said.
Aquino and Drilon both belong to the Liberal Party.
“Hindi kami ang naglagay sa alanganin kay Pangulong Aquino,” Escudero further said.