By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate minority bloc moved to end a lingering committee impasse Wednesday, naming its members to 10 key panels after repeated appeals from the chamber’s leadership to fully organize the committees.
The assignments were approved by the Senate following a motion from Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, covering committees dealing with government corporations, public information, social welfare, tourism, education, labor, migrant workers, public order and the Senate’s internal rules.
The minority’s newly filled committee slots include:
- Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
- Public Information and Mass Media
- Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
- Tourism
- Basic Education
- Higher, Technical and Vocational Education
- Labor
- Migrant Workers
- Public Order and Dangerous Drugs
- Rules
Cayetano also placed on record the request of Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to be named vice chairpersons of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which is headed by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Dela Rosa has remained out of public view amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over his alleged role in the previous administration’s war on drugs.
Before the committee assignments were formally presented, Cayetano assured Senate leaders that the minority was prepared to cooperate in accelerating legislative work as the country confronts mounting concerns.
Without detailing the issues behind his earlier discussions with Senate officials, Cayetano said he had already reached out to Senate leadership, including the majority leader, to discuss the need to make the chamber’s work more efficient.
“There are some real issues, and I think all of us do want to work together to speed up the work,” Cayetano said.
He added that the minority was willing to assume a larger committee workload, stressing that senators are being watched closely by the public amid the country’s problems.
“People are looking at the Senate, and the minority, of course, joins the majority,” Cayetano said, adding that the minority was “willing to up our load in terms of committees.”
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the completion of the minority’s committee assignments, thanking Cayetano for taking the initiative.
Gatchalian said his earlier discussions with Cayetano had focused on issues that could help improve the efficiency of the Senate’s workload.
The development followed a public confrontation last week when Senator Raffy Tulfo accused Cayetano of “holding hostage” the minority’s committee memberships, particularly as several panels are expected to tackle priority measures.
Tulfo chairs the Committees on Public Services, Migrant Workers and Environment.
With the minority now represented in 10 additional committees, the Senate leadership is expected to move forward with committee work as lawmakers confront a broad legislative agenda.
ia/xf
