New senators: Study, do homework

This refers to the article “Lacson shares advice he got as newbie senator: Watch and learn” (8/1/19).

I subscribe to the piece of advice given to the newbie senators: Don’t just stand up and take the floor if you don’t want to end up being grilled by veterans.

Any well-meaning senator, especially the greenhorn, would like to have a foretaste of Senate traditions. That is understandable. They are fairly excited and, in fact, raring to make a speech or verbalize a statement or two on the floor.

Before they do that, I suggest that they have to familiarize themselves with the Senate’s parliamentary procedures on how to conduct meetings or hearings, and be aware of the varied roles and responsibilities of minority and majority parties in the Senate, among others.

Finally, I strongly suggest that newbie senators find time to seriously read and study the institutional role of the Senate in nation-building, know the burning issues besetting our society and think of where they stand on these issues.

Only then can these new senators become confident, eloquent and engaging lawmakers ready to face off against the veterans.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO
Marikina City