‘Solid Bloc-11’ to majority senators: ‘Attend session; it is our duty’

MANILA, Philippines – The Solid Bloc-11 (SB-11), or the Senate minority bloc, called on the Senate majority to attend the last plenary of the first regular session on Wednesday.

This comes after the majority bloc on Monday and Tuesday did not attend the plenary, after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested for plunder.

“We ask our colleagues, who still love the Senate and want to work for the people, to come in tomorrow. We will meet. We can debate anything. We can talk about anything,” Senator Bam Aquino pleaded.

READ: Senate majority ‘no-show’ again in plenary

Sen. Migz Zubiri echoed Aquino’s sentiment, pointing out that senators are paid to work through taxes.

“They should attend the session. It is our duty. We are being paid by the people to work, to legislate,” Zubiri said.

According to Sen. Win Gatchalian, the Senate spends about P25 million on utilities and salaries, but it goes to waste with no session taking place.

“Everyday the Senate spends P25 million… but no session happens. No law is approved. No resolution is approved. No confirmation of our military personnel… The people’s money is wasted,” Gatchalian pointed out.

He later added: “Each day that the session is not continued, the law is not enforced. What should be implemented is not implemented… It’s a waste of time.”

READ: Senate minority bloc urges Cayetano to resign

Then, Sen. Raffy Tulfo decried: “And this is all because one of their companions is in jail or was picked up by the PNP (Philippine National Police) yesterday.”

Tulfo also called on his colleagues: “I appeal to those members of the majority who still have sanity in their bodies, minds: ‘Please report for work.'” /apl