Departing senators deliver valedictories as Senate adjourns sine die

The Senate on Wednesday night adjourned sine die and formally closed its third regular session in the 19th Congress.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero pounded the gavel at around 8:50 p.m.

The 20th Congress will convene on July 28, on the day of the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.  

During the plenary session, the Senate adopted resolutions commending outgoing senators Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Nancy Binay, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Francis Tolentino, and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III "for their invaluable contribution and dedicated service to the Filipino people.” 

In her valedictory speech, Villar said that she entered the Senate 12 years ago with the intention “to serve with integrity and use [her] knowledge to make a difference, especially to uplift the lives of those who need it most.”  

“In this chamber, you fondly call me Mama Bear—a simple moniker, but one I took to heart," Villar said.

"To be Mama Bear meant being fiercely protective, genuinely caring, and always dependable. I saw it as a gesture of trust and respect, and a reminder to always show up, give my best, and look out for those around me,” she added.

Villar was elected to two consecutive terms in the Senate in 2013 and 2019

“My term may be ending, but my commitment to public service remains. Hindi po natatapos ang paglilingkod sa pagtatapos ng termino. Sa halip, ito ay simula ng panibagong paraan ng makabuluhang ambag sa bayan,” she added. 

(My service does not stop with the end of my term. Rather, it is the beginning of a new chance to give a meaningful contribution to the nation.) 

Poe, who became emotional while delivering her valedictory speech, paid tribute to her colleagues whom she worked with at the Senate for 12 years, as well as her family, including her late father, Fernando Poe Jr. 

“Sa mga Pilipino, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala. Salamat sa pagkakataong makapag-lingkod hindi lamang bilang inyong senador, kundi bilang inyong anak, ina, kapatid, at kaibigan,” Poe said.

“Maaring bumagsak na ang tabing sa yugtong ito ngunit ang kwento ko ay patuloy na isinsulat para sa pangako ko sa aking ama, kay FPJ, kay Susan, at sa milyong-milyon Pilipinong nagtiwala at naniwala sa akin. Bukas pa rin ang ating pahina. Baka naman may plot twist. Abangan ang susunod na kabata. Sabi nga ni FPJ, hindi pa tapos ang laban,” she added.. 

(The curtain may have fallen on this stage, but my story continues as promised to my father, FPJ, my mother, Susan, and to the millions of Filipinos who trusted and believed in me. My book is still open. There might be a plot twist. Stay tuned for the next chapter. As FPJ said, the fight is not over yet.) 

Revilla, who lost in his bid for a second consecutive term as senator after ranking 14th in the 2025 midterm elections, said public service was not attached to a position.

“It pains me to have faced defeat in the elections – not for the loss of title or position, but for the missed opportunity to continue the honor and privilege of being the voice of our people in this chamber,” Revilla said. 

“Hindi ito wakas, kung hindi panibagong yugto – na saan man dalhin ng agos ng buhay, may posisyon man o wala, lagi akong titindig para sa bansa at taumbayan,” he added.

(This is not the end, but a new journey – wherever life takes me, with or without a position, I will always stand up for the country and the people.) 

Binay, who is now mayor-elect of Makati City, also became emotional as she recalled her stint at the Senate. 

“I entered this chamber twelve years ago under less than ideal circumstances. Winning a mandate to serve, but also with a target on my back. Dakilang alalay lang daw ako," Binay said.

"Pinuna ang kulay ng balat ko, pati ang mga damit ko. Ginawang meme na viral sa social media. They say the Senate is like the stage, where every move is scrutinized under glaring light,” she added. 

“I am grateful for all the criticism –both the deserved and uncalled for– which has made my skin thicker. We need thick skin in governance, not so we can remain callous to the people’s pleas, but so that we can trudge forward and stay true to what we believe in, even when it is unpopular or against the dominant powers," Binay said.

Meanwhile, Pimentel, who is the Senate Minority Leader, called on senators who will continue their term in the 20th Congress to work on measures that will elevate the plight of the people. 

“May the laws you pass rescue the poor and helpless and deliver them from the grasp of evil people, as written in Psalm 82:4,” Pimentel said. “To the public of the Philippines, you entrusted me not only with your votes but with your hopes. I hope my service has honored that trust," Pimentel said.

"Through this chamber, I remained your public servant in my capacity as a lawyer and as a concerned and involved citizen, advocating for federalism, and faster local development for a just and fair society, and preferential focus on the poor," he added.

Tolentino, who also lost in the senatorial race, did not give a valedictory speech. 

The remaining senators who are set to enter the 20th Congress also honored their outgoing colleagues in the upper chamber.

During his speech, Senate President Francis Escudero thanked the outgoing senators for their service, as well as the other employees of the Senate. 

“Lahat ng panukalang batas, resolution, committee report na naipasa natin ay dahil sa tulong at pagpahintulot ng bawat isa sa atin," Escudero said.

(All the bills, resolutions, and committee reports we have passed are due to the help and permission of each and every one of us.)

"I look forward to working with you in government, in the Senate, and anywhere in the name and in the service of the Filipino people. Maraming salamat po sa inyo at sa ating lahat (Thank you, everyone)," he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News