Cebu vice guv expresses concern over Senate row

Local

A TOP official in the Cebu Provincial Government has expressed concern over the chaotic political standoff in the Senate.

Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco said, like many Filipinos, provincial officials are also concerned that the raging conflict has affected legislative works that have direct impact on the people.

Soco said while healthy debate is part of democracy, it is also important that key measures and urgent legislations move forward.

"We trust that our national leaders will be able to resolve these issues soonest and refocus on the work that matters most to the Filipino people," Soco told MyTV Cebu.

Regardless of political affiliations, he said, the country's leaders are expected to work together to address the growing problems of the nation.

"At the end of the day, public service must come first," Soco emphasized.

Soco assured that Capitol officials will continue to work, provide services, and pursue programs for the Cebuanos regardless of what has been happening in the national level.

The Senate has become the center of major political and institutional crisis involving the minority and majority bloc.

It started when Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa who is now in hiding, sought refuge in the Senate after an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was served to him for his alleged participation in the deadly war on drugs of the previous administration.

Another major event that took place in the Senate was the power struggle between the opposing senators that led to the removal of Senate President Tito Sotto and the election of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

The arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for plunder charges also contributed to the ongoing conflict.

Because of the continuing division, no session was held for two straight days, resulting in the delays of the deliberation of key measures like citizenship bills, anti-hospital detention bill, and the magna carta for Barangay Health Workers.

The Senate has since adjourned with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian being elected as Senate President Pro Tempore that further fueled the tension.

Cayetano questioned the election of Gatchalian, insisting that he remains to be the rightful Senate president.

A hearing by the Blue Ribbon Committee into the flood control project scam was held on Thursday, June 4, where the so-called "18 ex-Marines" testified that several government officials received kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.(MyTVCebu)