MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros announced on Tuesday, June 9, the commitment of the new Majority bloc to donate one month of their salaries to aid communities devastated by the recent powerful earthquake in Mindanao.
The 12-member coalition issued a joint statement expressing their solidarity with the victims of the magnitude 7.8 tremor that struck the southern region. The disaster has prompted massive rescue, clearing, and recovery operations across several affected provinces.
“The Senate New Majority stands with the families and communities in Mindanao who are now facing the painful work of rescue, relief, rebuilding and recovery after the powerful earthquake,” Hontiveros stated.
In an effort to provide immediate financial assistance to displaced residents and local government units, the lawmakers pledged to pool their personal funds to support the ongoing crisis response.
“As a personal contribution to the relief effort, members of the Senate New Majority are prepared to donate one month of our salary to help support affected communities,” she added.
The New Majority bloc is composed of Senate Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian and Senators Vicente Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Chiz Escudero, Migz Zubiri, and Risa Hontiveros.
Setting aside political differences within the upper chamber, the group extended an invitation to their counterparts in the Minority bloc to match the initiative, emphasizing the need for a unified national response.
“While this is a small contribution, we hope our colleagues in the Minority will join us in this effort. After all, we are senators of all Filipino people,” the lawmakers urged.
The new Majority further highlighted that providing humanitarian aid must transcend political affiliations and ongoing legislative rivalries during times of severe national emergencies.
“This is a moment when the Senate, whatever its internal divisions, can still speak through one act of shared compassion,” the statement concluded.| Sheenalei Briana Rayos
