Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri vowed a more productive Senate on Monday as Congress reconvened ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
During an interview, Zubiri said that they are expecting a lot of work and a lot of catching up to do, particularly on the priority measures.
He committed that all the senators would work "double time."
On Monday morning, 23 senators arrived at the Senate to begin the second regular session of the 19th Congress.
Sen. Pia Cayetano was unable to attend since she was accompanying the Philippine Women's National Football Team as they competed in their first FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
During his remarks, Zubiri praised senators who worked even during the Congress' months-long recess. Zubiri also maintained the Senate's independence, noting that the chamber's views on matters may differ from Marcos'.
He also stated that public opinion will not sway the Senate and that their productivity should be assessed by the quality of their work rather than "meaningless numbers."
Zubiri also asked lawmakers to pass laws establishing the Center for Disease Control, the Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the Medical Reserve Corps, as well as the Ease of Paying Taxes bill, the Waste-to-Energy bill, and the Across-the-Board Legislative Wage Hike bill, among others.

Later in the afternoon, the senators will attend Marcos' second SONA in the Batasang Pambansa.

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Zubiri vows more productive Senate as Congress reopens