THE Philippine Senate, the Upper House of the Philippine Congress, traces its origins to the Philippine Legislature created by the Jones Law and operative from 1916 to 1934. Since 1916, the Philippine legislature has been reconfigured thrice, first under the Commonwealth government, then in the post-war Congress, and after the democratic transition in 1986.
The present Congress is actually a reincarnation of the Senate of the Philippines under the 1940 amendment to the 1935 Constitution. As mandated by the new Constitution ratified in 1987, the upper chamber is composed of 24 members elected at large, who serve a term of six years. Senators cannot serve beyond two consecutive terms.
The Senate has produced seven Presidents of the Philippines, namely Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio S. Osmeña, Manuel A. Roxas, Elpidio R. Quirino, Ferdinand E. Marcos, Joseph E. Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In its august halls, exemplar leaders and nationalists spoke eloquently on the issues that confronted the nation in their time and mobilized the Senate and the Filipino public to rally behind the nation’s interests. It has remained a bulwark of Philippine democracy as it carried on its work of producing statutes needed to push forward the development of our country.
The Senate of the Thirteenth Congress is now led by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, Senate President Pro-Tempore Juan M. Flavier, Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan, and Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. Other senators are Edgardo J. Angara, Joker P. Arroyo, Rodolfo G. Biazon, Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy E. Estrada, Luisa P. Ejercito-Estrada, Richard J. Gordon, Panfilo M. Lacson, Manuel M. Lapid, Alfredo S. Lim, Jamby A.S. Madrigal, Ramon B. Magsaysay Jr., Sergio R. Osmeña III, Ralph G. Recto, Ramon B. Revilla Jr., Manuel A. Roxas II, Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Manuel B. Villar Jr. With its work largely fulfilled through its 36 permanent committees and five oversight committees, the Senate has constantly shown its independence and diligence as a representative and deliberative body.
We congratulate the Senate of the Philippines on the occasion of its 89th Foundation Anniversary and wish it all the success in its endeavors.
