Senate, House adjourn

Senate President Francis Escudero adjourned the third regular session of the 19th Congress in a speech marked with wit, warmth, and a dash of banter with his colleagues.

- By DHEL NAZARIO and ELLSON QUISMORIO

Escudero delivered his sine die adjournment speech on Wednesday night, June 11, with heartfelt thanks, humorous jabs, and reflections on collegial unity.

He took the floor to cap off a long stretch of legislative work, noting with irony that most of the formal thanks, praises, and commendations had already been given earlier in the session during the valedictory speeches of outgoing senators.

“Wala na akong mababanggit (There's nothing left for me to mention),” he quipped. “Naangkin na rin ang lahat ng panukalang batas (Everyone has already taken credit for the bills we passed).”

Escudero thanked fellow senators and the often-unseen workforce of the Senate – the staff and the secretariat - who, he noted, bore the brunt of a “bugbog” or bruising schedule both inside and outside the halls of the Upper Chamber in the past two weeks.