Sen. Imee Marcos Claims Senate Passed Only 2 Out of 53 Priority Bills of Gov’t
IMEE MARCOS – The presidential sister and Senator called the Senate “palpak” for allegedly passing only 2 out of 53 priority bills of the government.
The Senate became the center of controversy following several incidents that supposedly included tension, drama, and boycotting of the chamber’s sessions. There were multiple change of leaderships as well in a span of a few months as well.
In March, the senators from the then-minority bloc plus senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano declared all positions in thee Senate vacant. It was also during that time when Sen. Bato dela Rosa appeared in the chamber again after six (6) months of hiding.
Former Senate Pres. Tito Sotto was ousted and he was replaced with now-former SP Alan Peter Cayetano. Under Cayetano’s lead, the chamber had a controversial firing incident which the then Senate Chief claimed as an attach against the chamber but the authorities found it as allegedly “fake”.
At the height of the said firing incident in the 2nd floor of the Senate building and when only the then-majority senators were present, Sen. Bato dela Rosa was able to exit the Senate premises together with Sen. Robin Padilla. The actor-turned-Senator denied that he allegedly helped the former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief escape.
In June, the majority bloc was absent for two (2) days as they protected the Senate chairmanships. On the third day, former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero appeared for the session and the quorum of 12 senators was able to resume the session.
The senators declared all positions in the chamber vacant and elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as the Senate President Pro Tempore. After around a week, Gatchalian was elected as Senate president by 13 senators after Sen. Joel Villanueva also joined the new majority.
Recently, presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos who belongs to the minority bloc criticized the performance of the senators including herself. Through a post on social media, she claimed that they are allegedly a failure.
“Naku kung eskwela ‘to lagpak kaming mga estudyante nito. Isipin mo dalawa lang sa mga batas na sinabing priority ng pamahalaan, 53 ‘yun priority bills. Kulang pa ‘yan ha kasi meron pa diyang mga coop bill at kung anu-ano na itinanggal na,” the Senator said.
According to Sen. Imee Marcos, they were only able to pass two (2) out of 57 priority bills of the government. She said measures against political dynasty and bank secrecy law as well as the amendments to a PERA Act and the Rice Tariffication amendment are among the priority bills of the government.
“Isipin mo dalawa lang napasa namin. Pambihira napaka-palpak namin. At mga importante ‘tong 53 na ‘to,” the Senator said.
In her post, Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that all those bills were allegedly disregarded. She stressed the multiple change of leaderships in the chamber in a year.
“Sa totoo lang, nakita naman ninyo, sa isang taon sa Senado, ilan ang aming presidente. Apat ang Senate president sa loob ng isang taon. Wala na kaming ginawa kundi palitan nang palitan ang namumuno. Sus palpak talaga, ‘yan na lang ang ginawa namin,” the Senator said in her post.
Recently, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro hit Sen. Imee Marcos.