Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — “Draw the line.”
That was former Senate President Franklin Drilon’s advice to the chamber’s current leader as he spoke out against the \”erosion of the prestige of the Senate as an institution\” due to the \”lack of decorum\” among some senators.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Drilon said for one, he noticed \”very noisy\” sessions when he would watch the proceedings online.
Just last month, first-time Senator Robin Padilla drew flak as a video of him struggling to make a motion during a plenary session trended online. That same month, Senator Ronald \”Bato\” dela Rosa was accused of debasing the Senate as an institution when he knelt before drug-linked cops, begging them to tell the truth during a committee hearing.
\”With all due respect and I hope my former colleagues are not onion skinned, I am compelled to comment on what the public perceives to be an erosion of the prestige of the Senate as an institution, principally brought about by what is perceived to be the lack of decorum on the part of certain senators,\” Drilon said.
He said while Senate President Juan Miguel \”Migz\” Zubiri is often called \”Mr. Congeniality,\” he should draw the line \”because upholding and restoring the prestige of the Senate is a burden on his shoulder.\”
Asked what Zubiri should do, Drilon said, \”show displeasure with what is happening.\”
\”I don’t want to lecture him. He knows what it takes. What is important is he should realize and I’m sure he does, that this kind of situation cannot go on,\” the veteran former lawmaker said, adding that proper decorum does not even have to be stated in the Senate rules.
\”What will you place in the rules? Do not talk?\” he said in jest.
Drilon stressed the need for the Senate to maintain its integrity as an institution lest it weaken its power to keep the executive in check.
\”Ang respeto sa Senado ay kailangan ma-maintain [Respect in the Senate must be maintained] in order that the concept of check and balance can be maintained because if you weaken the Senate as an institution, the executive branch will run roughshod over the Senate,\” Drilon said.
