Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday urged fellow senators to keep discussions in the upper chamber centered on policy issues, stressing that disagreements are natural but should never become personal.
Lacson said differing views do not hinder collaboration in the Senate, as long as debates remain professional and respectful.
“We don’t have problems with each other because we are focused on issues, though it is sad when the exchanges become personal. But that is how it is in the Senate—we may have clashing opinions at times, but it does not affect the way we tackle issues,” he said in a radio interview.
“We should have no problem with this approach, provided we make sure things don’t get foul or personal,” he added.
His remarks followed recent exchanges with Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, who earlier delivered a privilege speech questioning the growing number of key government agencies being led by acting Cabinet secretaries instead of officials confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Lacson said he shares Marcoleta’s concerns on the matter, noting that he had previously advised Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to consider ad interim appointments so the CA could act on them.
However, Lacson also recalled criticizing Marcoleta for presenting a “minority report” to the media on the alleged flood control scandal before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee had finalized even a partial report.
Marcoleta’s privilege speech on acting Cabinet secretaries has since been referred to the anti-graft panel.
“Sen. Risa Hontiveros, my seatmate, remarked that this was a reconciliation by referral,” Lacson said.