Press Release
September 15, 2009

Zubiri: Lacson-Estrada clash will not disrupt Senate's legislative calendar

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri today assured the public that the on going verbal scuffle between opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Jinggoy Estrada will not disrupt Senate's legislative agenda.

"We will not allow the on going word war between Senators Lacson and Estrada to delay the work of the Senate, but we will allow them to say their piece," Zubiri said.

He said that while "it is the prerogative of any senator to stand up on the question of personal and collective privilege, the Senate will not let any interpellation or personal privileges disrupt the Senate calendar."

Lacson, in his privilege speech on Monday, identified alleged irregularities and dirty tactics of former President Joseph Estrada during his two year stint as Commander-in-Chief. Sen. Estrada has promised to deliver his own privilege speech in today's session.

Zubiri said that while the senators understands the need of its members to stand and depend issues affecting them, the Senate leadership would not allow the chamber's overall performance to be hampered by such actions.

The Majority Leader made the assurance after some business groups called his attention and inquired on whether or not the squabble between Lacson and Estrada will affect the performance of the upper chamber.

"After the privilege speech of Sen. Lacson, we (the Senate) were able to pass the Tax Extensions on Water Utilities to Local Water utilities into third reading, including two treaties and three other bills," he said.

"We intend to approve most of these measures before the break on October 15. All I need is the support of the committee chairmen to defend their respective committee reports. I assure the Filipino people, the public that the Senate continues to be a working Senate and Senate of the people."

Among these measures which the Senate is keen on passing before its October break includes the following: The Philippine Coast Guard Law; An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises; Philippine Immigration and Naturalization Act of 2009; An Act Prescribing the Strengthening of the National Extension System to Accelerate Agriculture and Fisheries Development; The Organic Agriculture Act; Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2008; The Free Patent Act; and The Customs Brokers Act of 2004.

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