MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero clarified on Monday that while the Senate does not view the divorce and death penalty bills as controversial, they are not prioritized in the current legislative agenda. Speaking at a press briefing following the opening of the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress, Escudero outlined the legislative process these bills will undergo and highlighted other priorities.
According to Philippines News Agency, both the divorce and death penalty measures will follow the standard legislative procedure. "It will proceed. I don't consider them actually controversial. It will just have to go through the test of the legislative process and mill. I think one is with the committee and one (divorce) is pending in plenary already," he explained. This statement came despite the House of Representatives approving the Divorce bill before adjourning its second regular session on May 22.
The Senate President also discussed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) bill, noting it has been assigned to a subcommittee and subjected to the ordinary legislative process. "That's why it reached the plenary. But I interpolated, of course, and when it reaches the voting process, I will vote against it," Escudero shared, emphasizing that his opposition to ROTC is a personal stance.
Escudero further mentioned that the Senate would not prioritize proposals for charter change (cha-cha) this session. The decision is part of a broader strategy to focus on "more important measures that genuinely enhance the lives of Filipinos" and avoid "the needless political noise and bickering" associated with cha-cha. Instead, the Senate intends to concentrate on a common legislative agenda developed in collaboration with the executive branch and the House of Representatives, ensuring that the legislative process remains a collaborative and responsive effort across government branches.