New senators urged to prepare for 'baptism of fire'

MANILA, Philippines - The six neophyte senators, who will become part of the 16th Congress, should now start preparing for they will go through the “baptism of fire” at the Senate next month, Senator Francis Escudero said Wednesday.

Escudero said he is excited to work with the new batch of senators, namely Senators-elect Sonny Angara, Grace Poe Llamanzares, Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito.

Escudero said it is worth watching how the new batch will be working in the area of legislation.

The senator said that he would be more watchful of how acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada will work with his Ejercito, who are half brothers.

He said that when Congress convenes on July 22, he will rise a parliamentary inquiry on the sitting arrangement of the two sons of former President and now Manila Mayor-elect Joseph Estrada.

Escudero said he is wondering if he would sit between the half brothers since Escudero would come after Ejercito, if the sitting arrangement at the session hall would be set in alphabetical order.

Meanwhile, Binay took oath before Jinggoy in simple ceremonies at the Senate on Wednesday. She will also be taking her oath before resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile at the Office of the Vice President at the Coconut Palace on Friday.

Honasan and Ejercito will also take oath before Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Coconut Palace, the UNA said in its media advisory.

Among the new senators who have checked their room assignments and discussed legislative matters with their staff were Angara, Villar and Aquino.