Drilon urges ‘newbie senators’ to craft laws before leading major committees

“It’s up to the majority whether or not they follow this tradition. But the incoming senators, maybe they should, as we say, learn the ropes first of how lawmaking in the senate runs,” says opposition Sen. Franklin Drilon. GMA NETWORK

MANILA – Opposition Sen. Franklin Drilon urged the new senators to learn first how to craft laws and measures before asking to head the major committees in the Senate.

Drilon said the newcomers must always respect the “tradition and seniority” being implemented in the upper chamber of Congress as what was done before.

“I’ve been in the senate for more than 20 years. Tradition and seniority are always respected, major committees are always given to senior senators: blue ribbon, health, education, etc,” Drilon said.

“But it’s up to the majority whether or not they follow this tradition. But the incoming senators, maybe they should, as we say, learn the ropes first of how lawmaking in the senate runs,” he added.

Drilon’s statement came after the revelation of Senate President Vicente Sotto III that some incoming senators wanted to chair the committees held by incumbent senators.

First-time senators who were proclaimed in May include former national police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, and President Rodrigo Duterte’s former aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

Dela Rosa reportedly wanted to lead the public order and dangerous drugs committee, Marcos was eyeing the ways and means committee, while Go declared interest for the health committee.

Tolentino remained mum about his committees-of-choice but his party-mate, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, said the neophyte senator expressed interest in leading at least two of his six preferred committees. /PN

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