Senate 101 for Nancy Binay

MANILA, Philippines – First-time lawmaker Nancy Binay goes back to school for a crash course on legislation.

Ayee Macaraig tells us how the neophyte politico plans to make the grade.

It’s school season again.

But this mommy isn’t just sending her kids off.

She’s going back to school herself.

Nancy Binay returns to her alma mater, the University of the Philippines, this time not just as an ordinary student.

The senator-elect begins a 5-day Executive Course on Legislation along with her campaign-turned-Senate staff.

After facing criticism about her inexperience, the self-styled “forever personal assistant” of her father Vice President Jejomar Binay tries her hand at being a legislator.

NANCY BINAY

PHILIPPINE SENATOR-ELECT

Mas sanay ako sa executive kasi my father is part of the executive branch. Second pa doon is I follow the advice of Sen Miriam Santiago. Diba sinabi niya kaming mga neophyte mag-aral kami sa NCPAG kaya today I am here and I am ready to learn the ins and outs sa Senado.

The customized crash course covers the legislative mill, the budget process, and the use of pork barrel – all new to the tourism graduate.

PROSPERO DE VERA III

UP VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

As she starts her work with the senator, if there are areas if she wants intensive policy briefings, we can put that together on areas she wants to focus on.

Joining the session is her chief of staff, former Energy Undersecretary Jay Layug.

While Binay’s team attends class, the group is also preparing her first bills pushing for daycare centers in offices and rural areas, and improving safety standards for children.

For fellow neophyte Congresswoman-elect Sol Aragones and university officials, learning does not stop after the 5 days.

SOL ARAGONES

LAGUNA CONGRESSWOMAN-ELECT

Marami akong kinakausap para ang inputs matutunan ko para pag nagprivilege speech ako, may sasabihin akong may laman.

Beyond the modules, Binay already gets exposed to Senate politics as lobbying for the leadership heats up.

She will be one of 6 members of the minority, backing the bid of resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile against her godfather, administration stalwart Sen Frank Drilon.

NANCY BINAY

PHILIPPINE SENATOR-ELECT

Titingnan talaga namin kung ang pino-propose talagang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan, nakikita niyo naman ngayon na ang economic growth natin, di pa nagkakaroon ng trickle down effect.

After being in her father’s shadow for 20 years, Binay says she’s preparing hard to make her own mark when the 16^th Congress opens in July.

“Ina, Kapatid, Anak.”

It’s the line Nancy Binay used to introduce herself to voters and win a Senate seat.

Now, she adds another role: student.

But for this political neophyte, the bigger classroom is the Senate.

Here, there are no grades, just 6 years and the vote of 16 million Filipinos she cannot afford to fail.

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler. – Rappler.com