The Senate starts today celebrating its 89th anniversary with austere month-long activities, highlighted by the address of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon in this morning’s flag-raising ceremony.
The Senate president is expected to expound on his vision and program for the institution, which was first convened on Oct. 16, 1916, after it was created by the United States Congress in March 1916.
Over the years, the Senate has remained the bulwark of democracy and independence, and has been a stabilizing institution.
Despite criticism from some sectors, the Senate marks its founding, proud of its achievements during the 13th Congress.
Drilon said that during the past 12 months, the Senate has passed few but quality laws. "We have enacted measures that will generate the highest revenue in the history of this government."
He cited as examples the Expanded Value-Added Tax (E-VAT), sin taxes, attrition law, and rent-control law, all geared toward generating revenues to spur the country’s growth.
The proposed budget of P1 trillion of the national government for 2006, the Senate chief said, is premised on a revenue collection that will increase by P185 billion or 24 percent over the increase from 2004 to 2005.
Former Senate president Ernesto Maceda and former senators Rene Saguisag and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III have been invited as special guests during the flag-raising ceremonies, a sentimental homecoming to rekindle their attachment and share their experiences with the employees of the institution they served with distinction.
Three seminars on the economy and the adopt-a-barangay project, in coordination with the Senate Spouses Foundation, have been scheduled as part of the month-long celebration.
Capping the activities is a halloween treat for children of Senate employees on Oct. 27.
