Robin ROOKIE. Senator-elect Robin Padilla attends a briefing on legislative processes at the Senate building in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 14, 2022). The session tackled plenary procedures. Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB

Padilla learns basic Senate lessons

June 14, 2022 People's Tonight 266 views

NEOPHYTE Senator-elect Robin Padilla still remembers a conversation he had with President Rodrigo Duterte several months back.

Duterte told him that he always has a lot on his mind and likes talking but has no concrete plans.

“Ngayon, eto na ako. Ito na siguro yung inaantay ko (Now, I’m here. Maybe this is what I’ve been waiting for),” he said in an interview on Tuesday, referring to his win in the Senate where he can push his agenda.

Presumptive Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri previously announced that the majority agreed to let Padilla lead the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development in the 19th Congress.

Padilla has finished the “Executive Mentoring on Legislative Governance: Setting the tone for the first 100 Days in the 19th Congress” at the Senate building in Pasay City.

In a subsequent press briefing, he said he learned the basic process before a bill is passed into law, how a committee hearing is conducted, the interpellation process, and how to work with the Senate Secretariat.

“Pinapaliwanag sa akin ano ang hakbang na una kong gagawin at kung ano ba yung mga batas na na-file na, na may kinalaman dun sa gusto ko, sa committee ko (It was explained there the first steps I need to make, laws that were already filed and related to what I want in my committee),” he said.

During the legislative process briefing, Padilla was joined by United Nations democratic governance advisor Demaree Raval and listened to legislation lectures, led by Senate Deputy Secretary Edwin Bellen.

Padilla said he is determined to change the country’s form of government into federalism.

“I should first set talks between the two Houses. That’s the first step. This year, this is the target,” he said in Filipino.

The next Senate orientation is set June 28 but there are no confirmed attendees yet as of posting time. Philippine News Agency

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