SENATE President Francis Escudero feted the outgoing senators of the 19th Congress as the Senate went on sine die adjournment on Wednesday night.
Escudero said Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Ramon Revilla Jr., Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Francis Tolentino all did a great job in crafting important legislations during their tenure at the Senate.
Binay, Poe, Villar, and Pimentel have served two consecutive six-year terms, while Revilla and Tolentino did not make it on their reelection bids.
Binay won as mayor of Makati City, Pimentel ran for congressman of the 1st district of Marikina City but still has a pending disqualification case against his opponent, former Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, while Villar lost in the congressional race in Las Piñas City. Poe did not run for any office in the last midterm elections.
Former Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, who was appointed education secretary before his term ended, was also one of the “graduating” senators.
“There is one thing that I can say, that all of the proposed measures, resolutions, and committee reports that we have passed are because of all of us,” Escudero said.
He said the past weeks have been one of the most challenging for the Senate due to the impeachment process involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
He said Pimentel was one of those who fought hard in what the minority bloc believes is right in the impeachment process.
“Nevertheless, I forgive you, Sen. Koko,” he said in jest.
“Lahat ng panimulang interpellation ni Sen. Koko naiinis ako, pero pag natapos siya may punto naman talaga at mas nagiging matalino ako pagkatapos nun (“I was irked each time Sen. Koko started to interpellate but at the end of it, he really had a point which made me wiser after all,” Escudero added.
Escudero said he has fond memories of Binay being a quiet person during sessions, that’s why Sen. Loren Legarda, who is best friends with the incoming Makati City mayor, is not complaining each time Binay turns off the air-conditioning system in the plenary.
He said he will “miss” Revilla for the pieces of advice he gives on how to be loved more by his wife and family.
Escudero said he will miss Poe most because “no one will bug me anymore. I think your father will be proud of you. I met your dad first before I met you. I met your second before I met you and I think they will both be proud of what you’ve accomplished and would continue to accomplish beyond your term here in the Senate,” he added.
Escudero also thanked the people behind the scenes who assisted the senators in crafting meaningful and relevant measures.
“Malaking oras na ang hiniling ng bansa at ng ating mga kababayan mula sa mga miyembro ng Senadong ito sa nagdaang tatlong taon, anim na taon, sa nagdaang 12 taon para sa iba o higit pa. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong serbisyo
“Our country and the people demanded more time from the members of this Senate over the past three, six, or even 12 years for some of you. Thank you very much,” he said.
“I will not bid goodbye to those who will not cross over to the 20th Congress, unlike the impeachment. Instead, I will say I will see you again. Do not be strangers, we are just here and I look forward to working with you in government, in the Senate, and anywhere in the name and the service of the Filipino people. Thank you very much to all of you and everyone else,” he added.
Congress held its last regular session of the 19th Congress on Wednesday and will adjourn sine die on Friday. The 19th Congress will officially end on June 30, while the 20th Congress will start on July 28.
