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MANILA, Philippines – The 15th Congress closed with the Senate failing to ratify extradition treaties with 3 countries due to a lack of quorum.
The Senate adjourned sine die on Thursday, June 6, without ratifying extradition treaties with India, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
The ratification of the 3 treaties was listed in the Senate agenda but, without quorum, the chamber failed to take up the resolutions.
Diplomats awaiting the ratification since Wednesday waited in the VIP section of the Senate session hall but later left.
Resigned Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said there were only 11 senators present in Thursday’s session. Among those absent was resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. His allies said he is resting.
Senate rules require two-thirds or 16 senators to approve a resolution concurring in the ratification of the treaty.
“Kita mo ang nangyayari sa amin dito. Ni ‘di kami maka-eleven, out of the country ang 3. Every now and then, in and out, 11 kami until finally mabuti bumalik si Sen [Aquilino] Pimentel para mapasa ang Philippine Statistical System, which is a priority of the President.”
(Look at what is happening to us. We couldn’t even muster an attendance of 11 senators, 3 are out of the country. We are 11, good thing Sen Pimentel returned so we were able to pass the Philippine Statistical System, which is a priority of the President.)
The senator was referring to a bill reorganizing the Philippine Statistical System, which the Senate passed on third and final reading Thursday. The bill aims to provide the public access to “more responsive and accurate data.”
Sotto said this was why he highlighted his perfect attendance as part of his accomplishments as majority leader before tendering his resignation.
He said, as a result of the lack of quorum, senators will have to start from scratch with the extradition treaties in the next Congress.
Senate rules state, “All proceedings on treaties shall terminate upon the expiration of the term of the Senators elected in the preceding elections and the same shall be taken up in the succeeding sessions of the Senate, as if presented for the first time.”
Other measures the Senate approved on its last session day include:
- Bill seeking to provide additional incentives to science and math scholars, and to identify additional sources of funding for its program (3rd reading)
- Bill seeking to impose higher penalties on persons found guilty of animal cruelty, maltreatment and neglect (3rd reading)
- Bill strengthening the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel by redefining, expanding, rationalizing and professionalizing its organization (3rd reading)
- Bills seeking the construction of fish ports and establishment of cold storage facilities in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Cebu, Pangasinan, Surigao del Norte, Sulu and Pampanga (3rd reading)
- Bill seeking to upgrade the Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office into the Cotabato City District Engineering Office (3rd reading)
- Bill declaring a parcel of land in Barangay Sto Nino in the municipality of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (3rd reading)
- Bill seeking to penalize grave robbers and thieves of cemetery articles (3rd reading)
The adjournment marks the end of the 15th Congress, and the last session day for outgoing Senators Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, and Manny Villar.
The 16th Congress will open on July 22, coinciding with President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address.
The Senate will then welcome neophytes Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar, and JV Ejercito.
Administration ally Sen Franklin Drilon is expected to become Senate President in the 16th Congress with the backing of the administration coalition. – Rappler.com
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