OPENING OF THE 14TH CONGRESS
Villar ask colleagues to revisit the agenda of national development
Senate must maintain its independence - Villar

Senate President Manny Villar today asked his fellow senators to rise above their political differences and re-examine the agenda of national development.

Villar said, "Over the years, the Senate has been the subject of much criticism and doubt, leading many to conclude that it is best to abolish it. However, the recently concluded senatorial elections only emphasized the Senate's crucial role in the balance of power among its co-equal branches of government. The overwhelming consensus was that the Philippine Senate must maintain its institutional independence, beholden to no political power but to the sovereignty of the Filipino people. No less than the will of the people validated this."

"A legislative body, like the Senate, is an effective instrument of check and balance in a republican and democratic government. But the grandeur of this purpose is lost to some who think that the Senate's role is one of unfailing negative criticism bordering on sheer obstructionism. On the contrary, the Senate exists to repair deficiencies and remove the very obstacles to national economic growth such as inefficiency, instability and corruption. The dynamics of democracy dictate that we cannot be a passive Senate; it calls for reforms, accountability and transparency," the Senate President, who is also President of the Nacionalista Party, said.

In his acceptance speech after his re-election as Senate President during the opening of the 14th Congress, Villar said, "We must revisit the agenda of national development, identify the missing links and redirect our combined legislative wisdom to achieve a sustainable and equitable economic growth for all."

"We must seek to collaborate and find workable solutions under the guidance of a shared national vision," he said.

Villar added that among the things that need to be prioritized are the fragile peace situation in Mindanao, the pervading social injustice and human rights violations, threats to civil and political liberties, corruption in government, a wasteful bureaucracy and widespread poverty, among others.

"Looming large on the horizon of national priorities is the urgency of generating additional income for more Filipinos. The answer lies not so much in creating more jobs but in enabling those who are resourceful, hardworking and success-driven to become job providers themselves through their own enterprises, however small," Villar said.

He urged his colleagues to prove anew the relevance of the Senate "by crafting and passing laws that mirror our collective goal to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos."

By doing the twin tasks of "fiscalizing and forging new laws," senators will be able "to show the Filipino electorate that they did not commit the fatal mistake of choosing the wrong people as their voice in the Senate," Villar said.

Under his stewardship, Villar said the Senate will continue to carry out its investigative duties as part of the power of oversight and vowed that shenanigans in government will not be condoned.