FRANKLIN M. DRILON
18th Congress
(Member, 01 July 2020 - 24 August 2020)
(Minority Floor Leader, 24 August 2020 - 30 June 2022)
18th Congress
(Member, 01 July 2020 - 24 August 2020)
(Minority Floor Leader, 24 August 2020 - 30 June 2022)
AUG
24
2020
Seconding speech for ANTONIO G. PARLADE JR. for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Plenary Session No. 1, Second Regular Session
Yes. This is not an objection.
I cast an affirmative vote for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to spread into the record that at the hearing this morning in the Committee, there were certain answers that the nominee gave to the questions we raised that make me -- compels me to put on record certain reminders to the good General.
As I said, we are voting for him. We are casting an affirmative vote. But let me remind the good General, that there is nothing in the anti-terror law that allows the regulation of social media; that prior restraint of speech and expression is opposed to our bill of rights; that the anti-terror law does not authorize the state forces to determine what the citizenry is allowed to do or say in social media as the good nominee ascertain during the Committee hearing. But the citizenry is held responsible for utterances in social media which may constitute unprotected speech, as for example inciting to sedition or inciting to rebellion and where such utterances are made in social media. It is the duty of the nominee to prosecute them and file charges against them because this, indeed, would be a violation of our laws. But certainly, not telling us, tell the citizenry what the citizenry is allowed to do or say as that connotes prior restraint.
So, it is with these reminders to the good General that, yes, I vote for your confirmation but please bear these in mind, especially when you participate in the drafting of the rules implementing the anti-terror law.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
JUN
02
2021
Seconding speech for KARL KENDRICK TIU CHUA for the consent of his appointment as Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Plenary Session No. 16, Second Regular Session
Mr. Chairman, may I be allowed to second the motion of the Senate President Pro Tempore.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in order to second the motion of the Senate President Pro Tempore.
Mr. Chairman, as you are fully aware, the Senate with twenty four (24) members, is often called “The 24 Republic”, because the twenty four (24) Senators would have twenty four (24) views on every issue. But, if you come to think of it, if there is one issue where there is unanimity by all the twenty four (24) Senators, it is in the nomination of NEDA Director, Karl Chua.
Why is that, Mr. Chairman? In my view, the most challenging post today in the Cabinet is that of the NEDA Secretary. Why? Because for the past eighteen (18) months our economy has been battered by the pandemic, as a result we have had contraction in the economy for the past five (5) quarters. Millions were unemployed and continue to be unemployed today. We have been in recession for the past five (5) quarters.
The statistics would show that millions of our families have experienced involuntary hunger. All of this is because of the very challenging and difficult time in our economy. Never in our history have we gone through this very difficult phase. And in our view, and the view of the twenty four (24) Senators, Mr. Chairman, the most qualified to lead the planning for the recovery of our economy is no less than the nominee today, Sec. Karl Chua.
Mr. Chairman, indeed, more than any other time in history, we need someone who is competent, who is able, who has had the experience in economic planning. We have known Karl Chua over the past five (5) years when he was in the Cabinet. He is one who is very competent, in my view, but at the same time very humble and has always had his feet on the ground. We have had dealings with him and he is one who is not theoretical but is realistic.
So, it is with these views, Mr. Chairman, that I joined our Senate President Pro Tempore and our Majority Leader in seconding and recommending that the Commission on Appointments gives its consent to the nomination of Sec. Karl Chua, so that he will be better equipped in the last eighteen (18) months or so of this administration in order to be able to effectively plan for our economy and provide our country a fighting chance in the future.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and, again, I reiterate my support for Secretary Chua.
SEP
22
2021
Seconding speech for JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment as member, representing the retired justices of the Supreme Court, Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines, for a term expiring on 9 July 2025
Plenary Session No. 5, Third Regular Session
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I stand before you today to support the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council, representing the retired justices of the Supreme Court for a term ending on July 9, 2025.
Mr. Chair, Justice Mendoza finished his undergraduate studies in the right school. He finished his Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Philippines where we were roommates or dorm-mates in the Yakal Residence Hall in the mid ‘60s. I will withhold my comment on where he graduated and finished his law. But, Mr. President, my distinguished colleagues, Justice Mendoza’s eligibility for this position is shown not only by his thirty six (36) years of exemplary service in Judiciary but also by his leadership in the JBC during his first term. Justice Mendoza devoted twenty eight (28) years as Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Sta. Cruz, Laguna, then of Quezon City, then as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals and then of the Supreme Court.
Under Justice Mendoza’s guidance, the JBC performs remarkably well. Records show that from 2017 to 2019, the JBC exceeded its target by more than double. Even with the dawn of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the JBC was able to achieve ninety (90%) percent of its target. The JBC resorted to technological and digital innovations. Through the efforts of our appointee, Justice Mendoza, the JBC surpassed its target by almost one hundred six (106%) percent as of June 30, 2021.
Aside from this, Mr. Chair, my colleagues, the JBC also revised its rules by: 1) requiring the applicants to have served more than -- served for at least five (5) years in his current position before he can apply for promotion; 2) giving preference to those who have consistently reduced their dockets; 3) eliminating the rule which discriminated against government lawyers; and, 4) strictly implementing the Pre-judicature Program or the PJP of the Philippine Judicial Academy provided in Section 10 of Republic Act 8557.
Mr. Chair, my distinguished colleagues, it is my honor and privilege to support the motion of Senator Pimentel to recommend to the Plenary the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, as Member, representing the retired justices of the Supreme Court the of the Judicial and Bar Council, for a term expiring on July 9, 2025.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
FEB
02
2022
Seconding speech for RYAN ALVIN RIVERA ACOSTA for the consent of his appointment as Commissioner, Civil Service Commission (CSC) for a term expiring on 02 February 2027, vice Leopoldo Roberto W. Valderosa Jr
Plenary Session No. 10, Third Regular Session
Mr. President, thank you for allowing me to take the floor, and I am taking the floor to put on record my congratulations to the nominee for having been appointed to his position and indeed, it is my honor and pleasure to cast an affirmative vote for the consent of this Commission to his appointment. This is probably my last act as a member of the Senate, among my last act, as my term will be expiring on June 30 and, therefore, it is indeed an honor for me to be able to cast the affirmative vote for Mr. Acosta on my last session as a member of this august Body.
Mr. Acosta is extremely qualified. He finished law in the right school, the UP College of Law and, therefore, he deserves the appointment. I am sure that he will protect meritocracy as he has reused this as a standard in his stint in government service.
So with that, Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, please, I want to second. It is my pleasure to second the nomination of Sen. Cynthia Villar for this Commission to give its consent to the appointment of Atty. Acosta.
Thank you, Mr. President.