SENATE President Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri on Thursday said that for 2023, the Senate will tackle priority measures of President R. Marcos Jr.’s administration such as the Maharlika fund bill, the priority bills such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, the AFP amendment on fixed term, as well as the establishment of a virology institute, Medical Reserve Corps, and the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

This as Zubiri expressed optimism that the Senate will be able to lay down the foundation for an effective and productive Senate body. At the same time, he also vowed to support the policies, agenda, and direction of the Administration of President Bongbong Marcos for the next six years.

Zubiri took his oath as the 24th leader of the upper chamber last July 2022.

“It is high time that our leadership and the Filipino people work hand in hand to be able to achieve an economic recovery and to look into further growth focusing on more jobs for all Filipinos, accessible educational and medical services, food on the table, reasonable utility prices, and genuine love, peace and understanding for the people,” said Zubiri.

Of the 24 senators composing the Senate only two composed the Senate Minority bloc with former Senate President Koko Pimentel as the Minority leader and opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros who is the deputy minority leader.

Majority of the senators who joined the Majority bloc expressed their willingness to work hand in hand with President Marcos Jr. as the Chief Executive vowed to double his efforts to lift the economy towards growth and prosperity for all Filipinos.

Zubiri said the senators are solid behind the Marcos Jr. adminstration and prioritized the passage of the General Appropriations Act or the national budget for 2023.

The Senate chief further said that the passage of the GAA 2023 national budget is proof that everyone is helping each other to uplift the lives of the Filipino people and to be of service to them.

Zubiri said that working hand in hand with the Executive Department doesn’t mean giving up the independence of the Senate as he vowed to continue to uphold the proud independence of the Senate by providing checks and balances through the Senate oversight committee for the confidential and intelligence funds and continue to investigate pressing national issues.

It can be recalled that Chairman of the senate blue ribbon committee investigated the unauthorized signing of Sugar Order No. 4, the rampant POGO related crimes, the procurement of overpriced laptop for Department of Education, as well as the aggression of Chinese Coast Guard against Philippines Navy in the West Philippine Sea.

Zubiri was proud to say that since the time they convened last July 25, 2022 the Senate as a whole passed a total of 1610 bills and 388 resolutions and this includes RA 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM registration act which will protect every Filipino from scams unscrupulous activities identity theft and terrorism.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives worked hand in hand in passing RA 11935 which rescheduled this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to last Monday of October 2023.

The Senate also approved the concurrent resolution supporting the present administration’s 2022 to 2028 Medium Term Fiscal Framework which will guide both houses in their legislative agenda.

As well, the Senate approved the establishment of the Philippine Congress – Bangsamoro Forum as mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law or RA 1754 to foster cooperation of the National Government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government.

The Senate in 2023, Zubiri said, will continue to focus on innovations and protecting Filipinos from all walks of life as he lauded the efforts of many athletes, artists, scientists, and statesmen who gave honor and pride for the country.

The powerful Commission on Appointments according to Zubiri was able to confirm most appointees with only two more Cabinet posts remaining unconfirmed.

The Senate chief said the upper chamber isready to face 2023 as he vowed to improve coordination cooperation as he vowed to work harder to address the needs of an the Filipino people in the coming years.

By CAMILLE P. BALAGTAS & PS JUN M. SARMIENTO