New senators undergo orientation on legislative proceedings

MANILA, Philippines - As the opening of the 16th regular session of Congress nears, neophyte senators have started preparing for their new jobs by attending an orientation about legislative proceedings and other Senate functions.

Senators Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Juan Edgardo Angara and JV Ejercito attended the briefing at the Senate yesterday.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV had his orientation last week.

Villar, Angara and Ejercito are former members of the House of Representatives while Poe, Binay and Aquino are first-time lawmakers.

Ejercito and Poe both admitted to being a bit anxious about their new job.

“The Senate is different... I have to admit that there are jitters,” Ejercito said. “We are also nervous to be with the likes of more accomplished personalities.”

Poe said she always felt anxious when she has to take on a new responsibility, but is preparing well for her new job. “What is most important is to always be on your toes,” she said.

Villar said the responsibilities of a senator appear daunting. “You now have a wider coverage as far as your constituencies. Before it was just one district but now it’s an entire country... it’s difficult but anyway, we will try our best,” she said.

She said it is important to be focused on crafting legislation while doing something for the people on the ground.

The neophyte senators still had no offices as of yesterday.

As has been the practice, incumbent senators are given the privilege to choose their rooms while the neophytes would have to draw lots for the remaining rooms.