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Senate opens 3rd regular session of 19th Congress


Senate opens 3rd regular session of 19th Congress

The Senate on Monday officially opened the third regular session of the 19th Congress ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address.

All 23 senators are present in the session hall.

Prior to this, the senators along with their spouses or relatives walked on a red carpet. This was the first time in the 19th Congress that the Senate prepared a red carpet for its members.

During the session, the body adopted proposed Resolution No. 1062 which informs the President of the presence of a quorum and that the Senate has entered upon the exercise of its functions for the third regular session.

The body likewise adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 27 which provides for the Senate and the House of Representatives to hold a joint session to hear the President's SONA.

In leading the opening prayer, Senator Imee Marcos asked for protection for Vice President Sara Duterte and success for her brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Patatagin ang inyong Senado at ang buong kapulungan ng aming bansa. Pangalagaan ang Bise Presidente Inday Sara Duterte," she said.

"Strengthen the Senate and the Congress. Protect Vice President Inday Sara Duterte.)

"Pagtagumpayin ang mabubuting hangarin ng aking kapatid, ang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, na mangibabaw sa mapansariling nakapaligid sa kanya. At patuloy na kalingain ang Sambayanang Pilipino," she added.

(Let the good motive of my brother, President Bongbong Marcos, succeed over the selfishness of those around him. Continue to protect the Filipino people.)

She likewise prayed for wisdom for the Senate to understand the "true state of the country" and courage to fight for the welfare and the truth for the people.

She mentioned the plight of the Filipino people who suffer from high prices of commodities, particularly the cost of rice.  

Some foreign dignitaries and Cabinet members were present during the opening of the session.

Among those in attendance were the secretaries of the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Department of Tourism, and Department of Science and Technology.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia was also present at the Senate's opening of session.

Former senators Franklin Drilon and Kit Tatad also attended the opening of the chamber's session.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

Tags: SONA 2024, Senate