Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan/PNA
Senator Erwin Tulfo called on senators to stop the deepening rift in the chamber and return their focus to legislation and public service.
Tulfo made the appeal as the Senate remained divided between two rival camps amid a continuing leadership dispute.
In a radio interview cited by his office Sunday, Tulfo said continued arguments over the Senate row would only widen the split within the chamber and among Filipinos.
He urged his colleagues to set aside political colors and work together, saying the country faced problems that cut across political loyalties.
Tulfo said hunger, poverty, weak access to health care, low wages, and rising prices affected Filipinos regardless of whether they supported President Marcos, former President Rodrigo Duterte, or former Vice President Leni Robredo.
He said the Senate should instead focus on addressing the cost of basic goods, improving incomes, probing irregularities, and passing needed laws.
The chamber has been split between the group of Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian and the bloc of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Cayetano has refused to give up his claim to the Senate presidency, while the Gatchalian-led majority has maintained that Cayetano no longer holds the post.