Speech of Senate President Franklin Drilon at the 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council Assembly, March 18, 2014

 “The IPU at 125: Renewing our Commitment to Peace and Democracy”

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow parliamentarians, Good afternoon.

It is a great honor to be present in this milestone assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union which has reached 125 years of championing the cause of democracy all over the world.

Allow me first, however, in behalf of my country, the Philippines, to sincerely thank the global community for coming to the aid of our distressed countrymen who suffered severely when Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most destructive typhoons of this century, hit our shores last year. The United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Norway, Canada, Australia, South Korea and many of you provided---and still continue to provide---timely relief and assistance that not only offered comfort amid the suffering and pain, but also encouraged and inspired Filipino families and entire communities to rebuild their lives.

For all these, the Filipino people are forever grateful for your compassion and generosity.

125 Years of Inter-parliamentary Dialogue and Cooperation

The IPU has been in the forefront of inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation since its creation in 1889. It has made major contributions to the search for world peace and the promotion of democracy. These laudable efforts enabled eight (8) personalities of the IPU to be awarded with Nobel Peace Prizes.

The valuable technical assistance it has provided various parliaments worldwide, particularly those recovering from years of conflict and civil strife, is indeed very commendable. Its programs on human rights promotion and gender equality have empowered parliaments in Asia and Africa to craft laws that protect and preserve human dignity in their countries. Its continuing advocacy for increasing the participation of women in mainstream politics may be slowly but surely yielding positive results.

In my country, I am proud to announce that our people have voted into office six female senators, representing 25% of the Senate’s total membership, the highest number of women in the chamber’s entire history. And in the House of Representatives, 79 out of 289 members, or 27%, are women. This is certainly higher than the world average of 21.8%. And I expect this to increase in the coming years.

 The Rule of Law over the Rule of Force

Over the years, the IPU has gained relevance as a unique venue for parliamentarians to freely discuss international issues once reserved for the executive branch of government.

In this regard, I welcome the creation of the IPU Standing Committee on United Nations (UN) Affairs which will involve parliamentarians in honoring the commitments of their governments in multilateral treaties and international agreements. It may as well serve as a productive forum for dialogue in the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The UN has also earlier declared that the IPU is an essential partner in the promotion of the rule of law. We parliamentarians, therefore, must do our utmost best as partners to espouse a rules-based regime as a way of maintaining peace in the world. As parliamentarians, we must, as the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, remain vigilant against those who seek to replace the rule of law with the rule of force.

Contribution of the Congress of the Philippines to Democracy

The Congress of the Philippines, ladies and gentlemen, – the Senate and the House of Representatives – has always been a vibrant lawmaking body whose members are directly elected by the people in national and local elections. It derives its mandate from the people, thus becoming the voice of the people. In our system of government, it is a necessary political institution which provides check-and-balance over abuses of the executive and judicial branches of our government. So it was the first to be closed down in 1972 when martial law was declared.

Opposition senators and congressmen were the first to be arrested and jailed in military camps. They were followed later by journalists, artists, professors and students. The martial law regime however did not deter Filipinos---rich and poor, young and old---from pursuing the cause and cost of freedom and democracy. They fought either in the mountains or in the parliaments of the streets.

Events culminated in 1986 when the peaceful EDSA People Power revolt installed a new government and democracy was restored. More than a year later and shortly after the people ratified in February 1987 a new Constitution, the Philippine Congress reopened.

Now, as a leader of the Senate, I am proud of the continuing commitment of the Philippine Congress to uphold our democratic ideals and to continue its proud tradition of being “the bastion of democracy” in our country. By the laws we pass, we ensure the continued relevance of the Philippine Congress in the lives of the Filipino people.

Today, if our democracy remains vibrant, it is because of the parliament’s strong adherence to democratic principles.

Contribution of the Congress of the Philippines to the IPU

The Philippines is committed to support the IPU. Throughout the years, we, as members of Congress and as individual legislators, have invested time and effort to take active roles in the various statutory bodies and committees of the IPU.

87 years ago, in 1927, the Philippines sent its very first Philippine Delegation to the IPU Assembly, headed by member of the Philippine Assembly, the Honorable Benigno S. Aquino, – the grandfather of the current Philippine President – attended the 24th IPU Conference held in Paris. The Philippines has continued to support IPU programs and activities.

In 2005, as President of the Senate, it was my honor and privilege to personally oversee the hosting of the IPU’s 112th General Assembly in Manila. I had the privilege of serving as a Member and President of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, until 2007.

In 2008, Sen. ia Cayetano was the first Asian legislator to chair the IPU’s Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians.

So was Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., a human rights lawyer jailed for his opposition to authoritarian rule who steered the IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians from 2007 – 2010, first as member and then as its President.

Mr. President, let me at this point, acknowledge with gratitude, the work of the IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians on the release of our colleague, Sen. Antonio Trillanes, who is here with us this afternoon. The Committee adopted a Resolution urging the Philippine Government to release Sen. Trillanes and allow him to perform his mandate as a duly elected Senator of my country.

This Resolution of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians served as one of the principal bases for the release of Sen. Trillanes from detention. And if Sen. Trillanes is able to attend this year’s Assembly it is because of the IPU. Thank you very much, IPU.

Tribute to Outgoing Secretary General Anders Johnsson

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, let me take this opportunity to give my personal tribute to our Secretary General, Anders Johnsson. He has certainly advanced the cause of inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation and promoted tirelessly the cause of parliamentary democracy in the last 16 years.

Anders, as my friend, Mrs. Kira Johnsson advised you it is only your mandate as Secretary General that is ending in June. Your mandate as an advocate for parliamentary democracy across the globe is a lifetime journey. Best wishes to you, Anders, and thank you, IPU, for making of the achievements you have done all these years.

Thank you very much and have a pleasant afternoon.