Zubiri, Alan Cayetano argue over resolution on EMBO barangays

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday engaged in a heated argument over the adoption of a concurrent resolution seeking to include the 10 Enlisted Men's Barrios (EMBO) barangays in the two legislative districts of Taguig City and Municipality of Pateros and confirming the increase of the number of councilors in each district of Taguig.

Zubiri questioned the tackling of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23 which was authored by Cayetano, saying this was not part of the Senate's agenda for the plenary session on Tuesday.

While Zubiri understands that this concerns the possible disenfranchisement of votes from EMBO barangays, he wanted the concurrent resolution to be tackled in Wednesday's session.

"It just came out in the air... This is not a simple resolution... Ang akin lang sana explain sana sa amin ano itong pag-uusapan natin. I asked a colleague who represented before these 10 EMBO barangays. She doesn't also know what's going on. Due courtesy lang ba. Show some respect," Zubiri said.

"If I raised my voice... it didn’t have to go that way and I apologize if I raised my voice. If this will help you, maybe we can take it up tomorrow. Ang aking lang diyan is nabigla ako at biglang may concurrent resolution about these barangays wala naman sa agenda today. So my appeal to the good gentleman is give us time to at least explain to us what it is all about," he added.

Zubiri pointed out that the Senate is not an institution that passes measures "in the midnight hour...when nobody's around."

Cayetano likewise apologized for raising his voice and clarified that the concurrent resolution, as ruled by the Supreme Court, is like other simple resolutions that do not have a force of law.

The concurrent resolution only expresses the sentiment of the Senate.

Cayetano also justified the urgency of the measure, saying the concurrent resolution should be tackled during the plenary session on Tuesday because of uncertainties that might force the Senate not to hold sessions.

"I don't want to take the risk. Nakita niyo naman yung mga ulan ngayon eh kung bumagyo bukas at mag-adjourn tayo? So walang taga-EMBO na pwedeng tumakbong congressman, walang pwedeng bumoto," Cayetano said.

The Senate is set to adjourn sessions from September 27 to November 3.

The period of filing of candidacies for the 2025 national and local elections is from October 1 to 8.

In the end, the measure was adopted and Zubiri agreed "with the explanation that it's not a creation of a new district and it's only the sense of Congress."

Under the resolution, the first district will encompass Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal, while the second district will include Cembo, South Cembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, and Post Proper Southside.—LDF, GMA Integrated News