Palace declares October 2015 as start of "Senate Centennial Year"

President Benigno Aquino III has formally declared October 2015 as the start of the Centennial Year of the Senate, a yearlong commemoration of the hundred years of existence of the upper chamber.

Proclamation No. 1091, signed by the President last August 7 and transmitted to the office of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, formally set the observance of the "Centennial Year of the Philippine Senate," from October 2015 to October 2016.

The proclamation called on all national government, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs), to support and extend "the necessary assistance in the observance of the Senate's 100th anniversary."

In issuing Proclamation 1091, Aquino said the Senate has throughout the years "become a revered democratic institution that consistently upholds the national interest, protects civil, political and human rights, and promotes transparency and accountability in public service."

"It is timely and fitting to honor this institution's history and contribution to economic development, social justice and political maturity and its defense and promotion of democratic values," the President's proclamation said.

According to Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes, the proclamation paves the way for the Senate to set into motion different activities and programs throughout the nation, which will culminate in the commemoration of the 100th year of the Senate in October 16, 2016.

Yabes said the Senate Centennial Committee is finalizing the list of "100-themed" activities to be held across the country, which may include a 100 kilometer run, tree planting activities, bloodletting drives, lecture drives, art competitions, awards for oldest living senators and Senate employees, and scholarship grants for select 100 students.

He added that they are also working on memorabilia chronicling the stories and achievements of members of the Senate throughout different generations and administrations, which would be made available to the public.

"Activities that carry the centennial theme will allow our fellow Filipinos to understand the role of the Senate in nation-building, what it had done in the past, and what it continues to do for the country today," he said. The Senate was first established in October 16, 1916, during the American Commonwealth period. Created under the Jones Law or the Philippine Autonomy Act, it was patterned after the American system of governance and bicameral form of legislature.