Sen. Ping Lacson relinquishes Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship — GMA News

[0:00] Thank you, Mr. President. [0:01] Mr. President, now I would like to move that we proceed with the election of the Senate President Pro Tempore. [0:09] I so move, Mr. President. [0:11] Is there any objection? Hearing none, the election of the Senate President Pro Tempore is in order. [0:17] May I ask Senator, may we recognize Mr. President, Senator Ping Laxon for the nomination? [0:21] May we recognize Senator Ping Laxon? [0:23] Thank you, Mr. President. [0:27] With your honor's ascension, as the fourth Senate President of the 20th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, [0:34] your previous post as Senate President Pro Tempore is now officially vacant. [0:41] May I therefore nominate Senator Vicente Soto III to the position of Senate President Pro Tempore. [0:47] Before I make my motion, Mr. President, I think I will be remiss of my duty and responsibility as a senator, [0:55] colleague, and friend, if I didn't thank and commend our two distinguished colleagues, [1:02] Senator G. Escudero and Senator Joel Villanueva, for responding to their higher calling for this chamber, [1:10] our beloved institution, known as the Philippine Senate. [1:14] Higher than their friendships, their affiliations, and every individual member of this body, even higher than themselves. [1:25] I would also wish to put on record that I intentionally and voluntarily relinquished the chairmanship of what is known [1:33] or most or often referred to as the most powerful committee, the Blue Ribbon, for two primary reasons. [1:42] Number one, I am tired of losing all friends and creating new enemies. [1:48] And number two, there are other colleagues who are equally, if not more, qualified than this humble representation to take on the job. [1:56] If there were no takers, I was willing, I'll bet with a heavy heart, to retain and continue sitting as chairman [2:04] and resume a duty that I am morally and obligated to perform. [2:10] With that, Mr. President, I move to nominate the position, to the position of Senate President Pro Tempore, [2:17] Senator, or the Honorable Vicente Soto III. [2:22] I so move, Mr. Chairman. [2:23] Now, Mr. President, thank you. [2:25] Thank you. [2:25] Majority Leader. [2:26] Thank you, Mr. President. [2:29] And just to give a short manifestation, Mr. President, I'd like to have the privilege to second the nomination of Senator Vicente Soto III as a Senate President Pro Temp. [2:43] I was his majority leader in all three times he was elected as Senate President. [2:48] It was an honor for me to be his majority leader. [2:51] He used to call me Major, as the Major in the plenary. [2:57] But I can say from experience that he's second to none when it comes to knowledge of our institutional rules, traditions, and processes. [3:05] He's what we need in the Senate leadership today, someone who protects the stability of the Senate and uphold the rules that give this institution shape and direction. [3:13] Therefore, I would like to second the nomination of Vicente Soto III as a Senate President Pro Tempore. [3:21] Mr. President, there being no other nominations, I therefore move that we close the period of nomination and proceed with acclamation. [3:29] We therefore close the period of nomination and proceed to the voting for the Senate President Pro Tempore. [3:37] Those who are in favor, say aye. [3:40] Aye. [3:41] Those who are not in favor, say nay. [3:44] The ayes have it. [3:45] Congratulations to our new Senate President Pro Tempore Center, Senator Tito Soto. [3:51] May we proceed, Mr. President, with the oath-taking of the Senate President Pro Tempore. [5:09] Okay. [5:19] Oath of office, please repeat after me. [5:21] I, state your name. [5:22] Aye, Vicente Soto III. [5:24] Having been elected Senate President Pro Tempore. [5:27] Having been elected the position of Senate President Pro Tempore. [5:30] Do hereby solemnly swear. [5:32] Do hereby solemnly swear. [5:33] That I will well and faithfully discharge. [5:35] That I will well and faithfully discharge. [5:37] To the best of my abilities. [5:38] To the best of my abilities. [5:39] The duties of my present position. [5:41] The duties of my present position. [5:42] And of all others I may hereafter hold. [5:45] And of all others I may hereafter hold. [5:47] Under the Republic of the Philippines. [5:49] Under the Republic of the Philippines. [5:50] That I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines. [5:53] That I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines. [5:55] That I will obey the laws, legal orders, and decrees. [5:58] That I will obey the laws, legal orders, and decrees. [6:01] Promulgated by the duly constituted authorities. [6:03] Promulgated by the duly constituted authorities. [6:06] and maintain true faith and allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines [6:12] and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily [6:18] without mental reservation or purpose of evasion. [6:22] So help me God. Congratulations, sir. [6:25] Thank you, sir. [7:33] Mr. President, if I may be able to take my oath as well as majority leader, [7:37] although I have been elected as the chairman of the Rules Committee, [7:41] but I was not able to take my oath the last June 3 meeting. [7:45] Yes, we will administer the oath to the majority leader. [8:06] Oath of office, please repeat after me. [8:09] I, state your name. [8:11] I, Juan Miguel Zubini. [8:12] Having been elected to the position of chairperson of the Committee on Rules, [8:16] having been elected to the position of chairperson of the Committee on Rules, [8:20] do hereby solemnly swear [8:22] that I will well and faithfully discharge [8:26] that I will well and faithfully discharge [8:27] to the best of my ability [8:29] the duties of my present position [8:33] and of all others I may hereafter hold [8:38] under the Republic of the Philippines [8:40] that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines [8:44] that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines [8:46] that I will obey the laws, legal orders, and decrees [8:50] promulgated by the duly constituted authorities [8:55] and remain true faith and allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines [9:01] and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily [9:07] and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily [9:09] without mental reservation [9:11] without mental reservation [9:12] or purpose of evasion [9:13] or purpose of evasion [9:14] so help me God [9:15] so help me God [9:15] congratulations [9:16] thank you very much sir [9:17] election [9:47] election [9:47] election [9:51] Thank you very much.