MANILA (2nd UPDATE) – Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday shunned divisive proposals such as charter change as he laid down the legislative agenda of the Senate under his watch in the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress.

"In this final regular session of the 19th Congress, following Quezon’s advice, we will set aside items which merely dissipate our energy and divide the public. For this same reason, pending bills on charter change will be placed in the backburner, and will follow the ordinary and regular process of legislation, if at all," Escudero said during the convening of the Senate. 

"In its stead, bills which can effect the same result— but without the needless political noise and bickering — will be prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures which the people truly need," he added.

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Escudero said they would tackle items in the common legislative agenda forged with the Executive, and those nurtured by either the House or the Senate. 

"We are not mere processors of proposals, but also proponents of them. And the Senate is best when it incubates brave ideas and initiates bold legislation," Escudero said as he proposed a three-way test for prioritizing bills.

"One, will it make the lives of our people easier?  Two, will it help us move faster?  Three, will it make our people’s burdens lighter?” 

Escudero maintained that the foremost task of senators is to be the “chief common sense officers of the government.”

“For common sense is what would bring ease to the lives of our countrymen. Let this standard be used in measuring every government proposal that comes our way… Will it make life easier for the Filipino?" Escudero said.

"In fact, this very standard embodies the work that we do in the Senate. We trim lengthy provisions, reduce projected costs, test for constitutionality, and ensure that stakeholders' concerns are addressed.  We do this because legislative haste often leads to time and resources wasted. Bills that are not forged in the fire of debate often comes out half-baked. And eventually require remedial sequels," he added.

Escudero also vowed to make sure all bills submitted to the President are beyond reproach. 

He said the Senate would scrutinize the proposed 2025 national budgetand continue to exercise its oversight work to correct wrong policies in government as proof of the chamber’s independence. 

Escudero noted that the Senate has passed a "raft of laws" that ease the burden on big business, without passing laws that ease burdens of the public.

"Pati ease of paying taxes at ease of unloading bad loans, meron tayo niyan. Bakit walang ease of commuting and connecting? Ease of finishing school and finding work? Ease of healthcare for the sick? Ease of acquiring justice? Ease of growing food and feeding our families? Let us do the heavy work, and make hard decisions, to unburden the nation and uplift every Filipino. This is our unchanging mandate," he said. 

He also emphasized the Senate's push for the country's sovereignty in the context of ongoing disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

“Make no mistake about it, this Senate is unanimous and unbending in defending our country’s independence and sovereignty.  Tayo’y makikipag-kaibigan pero hindi tayo pasisiil. Tayo’y makikipag-usap, pero hindi tayo magpapa-api,” the Senate chief said. 

“As such, we shall pass laws such as the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act that will strengthen our claims over what is ours.  We will strengthen our military, not to ignite any conflict, but in order to secure our peace.  We will take peaceful measures to defend our people’s right to sail in our seas and fish in our waters—as what our ancestors had done, and what our children and our grandchildren shall do.  Indeed, we must work towards bridging these troubled waters," he said.

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Escudero appeared to justify the pace of legislation in its chamber, as the Senate is often compared to the House of Representatives which has traditionally passed more bills than the House.

"The Senate focuses on quality, rather than quantity. We legislate only if those existing are no longer sufficient, or if no other solution suffices. This is not a factory that mass produces laws for the sake of showing them on the scoreboard, yet do not, in any way, improve our people’s lives," Escudero said.

The Senate chief likewise emphasized the stability of institutions and the safeguarding of public and private rights.  Escudero maintained that the Senate is a chamber of sobriety and prudence.

"We temper the passions of public opinion, and proceed in a rational and deliberate manner. We do not immediately embrace populism that may ultimately harm the people," Escudero said.

He rallied his colleagues to put the interest of the people over those of political parties or personal ambitions. 

He said that in matters of foreign relations, the Senate helps maintain good ties with other nations, even as the Senate puts forward the national interest. 

Escudero reminded his colleagues of the words of then-Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, delivered nearly 108 years ago on October 16, 1916. 

“Wherever the bicameral legislature exists, it is assumed that the Lower House will be like a very sensitive thermometer that will register, in its action, even the slightest and most momentary changes in popular sentiment," Escudero said. 

“[On the other hand], the Senate must represent the serene, mature, and prudent judgment of public opinion. In other words, the Senate must be a sure, unshakable dam destined to contain the exaltations and overflow of popular passion. If the voice of the people is the voice of God, it must be enclosed in the safe channel of serene reflection.” 

At the same time, Escudero said the Senate would work to bring prosperity to all.

"We shall be a Senate which bridges social divides and builds a path to prosperity for every Filipino. Our people are overworked, underpaid, and overburdened. A comfortable life has eluded them for generations. Their dreams and struggles, more than any policy paper, provide what our legislative agenda should contain and inspire us to work even harder. I say that it is time to reframe our work-- and pivot to laws that make life easier for our people," Escudero said.