Senate marks 91st year

The Senate commemorates its 91st anniversary today with a mini-marathon run to be participated in by members of its workforce, an activity symbolizing the dedication and speed of the Senate in passing nine important measures in the First Regular Session of the 14th Congress.

The three-kilometer run, with separate categories for men and women, shall start at 3 p.m. at the Senate grounds and will traverse the CCP Complex.

The Upper Chamber marks its nine-decade service with the recent passage of crucial measures: the Anti-Cellular Phone and Gadgets Theft Act; the Cheaper Medicines Act; rules and regulations in the presentation of suspects in press conferences; bill granting good conduct time allowance to deserving prisoners; the Kasambahay Act which provides protection to household helpers; amendments to the Small and Medium Enterprises Law; bill creating the Office of Environmental Education to promote environmental awareness; the measure promoting breastfeeding especially among working mothers; and the bill providing more retirement benefits to judges and justices.

The Senate has lined up a month-long set of activities which began on Oct. 1 with Senate President Manny Villar delivering an anniversary message during the Senate's flag-raising ceremony, followed by the unveiling of a brass marker of the 14th Congress' First Regular Session officers.

On Oct. 25, a clean-up of the riverbank in Noveleta, Cavite, and livelihood training seminars shall likewise be held as part of the anniversary activities.

Senate President Manny Villar said that the Senate shall continue to be a bastion of independence in upholding the best interests of the Filipino citizenry. It shall remain committed to passing timely laws and carrying out its check-and-balance function under the Constitution.