Escudero: Senate ‘unanimous, unbending’ in defending West Philippine Sea

FILE PHOTO: Sente President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. SENATE SMU

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday  declared the Senate’s  “unanimous and unbending” stand in defending the country’s independence  and sovereignty in the face of rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

In his speech at the opening of the third and final regular session of the 19th Congress,  Escudero initially talked about the independence of the Senate, which he said  is “self-evident.

“Daily, our independence is livestreamed and blasted to all media platforms, where you see senators who can only be won over to a cause if you debate them, and not dictate upon them,” he said.

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“It conveys one unchanging truth: that senators are subjects of the people, and subsidiary of no other branch, party, person, or interest,” the Senate leader said.

This is the same  independence, which he said Filipinos desire for the country.

“Make no mistake about it, this Senate is unanimous and unbending in defending our country’s independence and sovereignty,” Escudero said.

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“Tayo’y makikipag-kaibigan pero hindi tayo pasisiil. Tayo’y makikipag usap, pero hindi tayo magpapa-api,” he stressed.

To strengthen the  country’s territorial  claims, Escudero said the Senate will prioritize the  passage of  laws  such as the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act.

The measure has already passed the bicameral conference committee and is now pending signature by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Escudero also underscored the importance of strengthening the military to secure peace, not to provoke conflict.

“We will strengthen our military, not to ignite any conflict, but in order to secure our peace,” he said.

“We will take peaceful measures to defend our people’s right to sail in our seas and fish in our waters— as what our ancestors had done, and what our children and our grandchildren shall do.”

“Indeed, we must work towards bridging these troubled waters,” he further said.

Escudero expressed confidence that the country could overcome whatever disagreements it may have with other countries, given its “centuries-old amicable relations with them.”

It was the first  time that Escudero presided over the opening of session in Congress since he assumed the Senate presidency last May 20 after  ousting  then Senate President  Juan Miguel Zubiri.