Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ G. Escudero declared Monday that the Senate stands firm in defending the country’s independence and sovereignty.
In his speech at the opening of the third and final regular session of the 19th Congress, Escudero emphasized the Senate’s unwavering commitment to protecting national interests.
“Make no mistake about it, this Senate is unanimous and unbending in defending our country’s independence and sovereignty,” Escudero said.
He added: “Tayo’y makikipagkaibigan pero hindi tayo pasisiil. Tayo’y makikipag-usap, pero hindi tayo magpapaapi.”
Escudero announced that the Senate will prioritize passing laws similar to the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act, which aims to strengthen the Philippines’ territorial claims. This measure has already passed the bicameral conference committee and is now pending signature by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the military to secure peace, not to provoke conflict.
“We will strengthen our military, not to ignite any conflict, but in order to secure the peace,” Escudero said.
The Senate President stressed the need for peaceful measures to protect the rights of Filipinos to navigate and fish in their own waters.
“We will take peaceful measures to defend our people’s right to sail in our seas and fish in our waters—as what our ancestors had done, and what our children shall do,” he said.
Escudero underscored the importance of diplomacy and maintaining strong ties with neighboring nations, suggesting that current conflicts are temporary in the context of long-term regional friendships.
“Indeed, we must work towards bridging these troubled waters,” Escudero urged.
“I am confident that we shall overcome whatever disagreements we may have with any of our neighbors, given our centuries-old amicable relations with them, where this point in time in our current history, to me, is a mere speck,” he said.