Senate wasting time in Miriam, Enrile word war – Osmeña

The Senate is wasting its time in letting Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile take their word war on the chamber’s floor, Senator Sergio Osmeña III said Wednesday.

 

In an interview, Osmeña lamented how Senate sessions have become just a source of entertainment and not an avenue for legislation.

 

“This does not help the image of the Senate. This does not affect legislation. If they wish to attack each other, they should just go to the PIMRO [Public Information and Media Relations Office]. They will get the same amount of publicity anyway,” Osmeña told reporters Wednesday.

 

“Nasasayang ‘yung oras ng Senate, pero at the same time we are providing a lot of entertainment so you [reporters] have a lot of stories,” the senator added.

 

He likewise said that personal attacks hurled by two senators against each other will not reflect well on Senate records.

 

“If somebody will be reading the transcripts of the Senate 30 years from now, I will not be proud of it. Baka basahin ng apo ko iyon at itanong, 'Did this really happen?' I would be embarrassed to say yes,” the senator said.

 

He further said that it is up to the Senate leadership if it wants to intervene in Enrile and Santiago’s disagreement.

 

Santiago is scheduled to deliver a privilege speech on Wednesday afternoon in response to statements made by Enrile on the Senate floor last week apparently referring to her.

 

In a privilege speech last week, Enrile took apparent swipe at Santiago spreading "bold-faced" lies against him, particularly his supposed capability to kill alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. 

 

Enrile is currently facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged involvement in the scam. 

 

‘Nothing new’

 

In a text message, Senator Nancy Binay said she is “saddened” by the fact that his colleagues are extending their personal differences on the Senate floor.

 

“Ayaw nating palakihin pa ang mga personal na alitan alang-alang sa interes ng taumbayan,” Binay said.

 

She however admitted that each senator has the right to defend himself or herself on the Senate floor against allegations recorded on the Senate journal.

 

For Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, however, there is “nothing new” with the fact that some senators are taking their personal conflict at the plenary.

 

“It has happened many times in the past… Wala lang internet and social media noon kaya hindi publicized,” Sotto said in a text message. —KG, GMA News