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By Nidz Godino
“Since we are not enemies, I see no reason why  relationship cannot be good, although we have different views on some things,” Senate President Francis Escudero is ready to hold  dialogue with his predecessor Juan Miguel Zubiri as  senator from Bicol sees no reason for them not to have  good relationship.
Escudero clarified he is not trying to avoid Zubiri, whom he replaced after 15 other senators signed resolution calling for leadership change in Senate.
“If we get a chance to talk, as I am not avoiding them, maybe we can talk here in Senate itself or outside…if we meet or if I miss them or they miss me, it’s easy to just text,” he said.
Recently installed Senate president admitted there were some gaps between fellow senators after leadership change, but he noted he understands other senators would feel that way.
He expressed optimism that time will heal these wounds. For Escudero, issue is not personal, thus wounds will heal more easily.
“There are no tears yet, but this is just part of the process… I believe Senate will overcome this as an institution…there will be times of sadness, there will be times of happiness and there will be times of future challenges…there will be times when everything will be easy…perhaps, one of those will also come…our time is good, relationship and Senate’s progress is better,” Escudero,said.
Six of the senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian have expressed their sentiments on ousting of Zubiri. They were poised to form alliance and preferred to be independent.
Villanueva earlier is studying opposition’s side in Senate and he would break away from majority.
Escudero assured tension would subside and legislators would unite for people.
He said it was not the issue of “Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaks” or Zubiri’s unwillingness to allow online attendance at sessions that caused latter’s ouster. But Escudero did not specify reason.
Escudero is hopeful that despite setback, proposals on priority agenda of Marcos administration will be passed.
Week after he assumed Senate presidency, Escudero continued to conduct inspections of Senate premises at GSIS building in Pasay City.
He also held dialogues with employees and even checked setup of parking spaces and temperature at Senate building.
Escudero also visited Legislative Records and Archive Service (LRAS), open 24/7 to accommodate needs of legislators, students and academe on their research involving Senate proceedings.
LRAS chief Marilou Binanitan has been in Senate for over 30 years and it was first time Senate president checked the unit.
“I served in my executive function as governor, that’s what I did… now, as the president of Senate, I consider myself administrative head of Senate, and it is only right to visit and find out what each office is doing and how we can serve them so that they can improve their service to anyone who comes to their office… I’m not even finished, I’m still on fourth floor, I’m still on third floor, I’m not out yet,” Escudero said.
Asked when Senate will move to its new building in Taguig City, he answered best time to do so is when Senate adjourns sine die.
“Our target transfer will probably be in 2025 sine die, if not 2026 sine die…doesn’t reach that, 2027 sine die… at least, we have two months to formally move and make arrangements so that workflow will go more smoothly when sessions resume,” he concluded.
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