Split Decision

Twisted Fate

The budget debates commenced, which meant discussions that started early in the morning and lasted well into the night.

As one of the vice chairpersons of the Committee on Finance, Leni devoted all of her energy to studying the budgets for the agencies assigned to her and coordinating with the representatives of said agencies to make sure what they ask for is sound and will pass through the Senate's scrutiny.

When she arrived in her office early in the morning to prepare for the next set of debates, Bryce, her chief of staff, called her attention. "Ma'am, may dumating po na invitation letter galing IPU kanina."

Leni took the invitation from him and opened it immediately. "Salamat, Bryce."

She entered her working office and scanned the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) invitation letter. Leni initially didn't want to join the IPU, choosing to devote her time to her legislative work. Still, she signed up thanks to Pia's tireless persuasion (and dangling the international travel card). 

Months later, an invitation letter to her first IPU assembly is now in her hands.

Upon reading the invite, one particular detail about the assembly jumped out. "Uyy, sa London? Seryoso?"

Taken on its own, Leni wouldn't think much of it. London was on Leni's bucket list for a long time, but she never had enough budget. Now she gets an excuse to travel there without dipping much into her savings.

Leni, trabaho lang 'to, diba? Bakit parang tuwang-tuwa ka? Pera ng gobyerno pa rin 'yan, huy!

Then, she remembered something else. Nakuha na kaya ni Peej ung invite niya?

She checked her watch to find that it was quarter to ten, which meant Leni needed to go down to the session hall for the morning plenary debates.

Back in the Session Hall, Leni sat at the back with representatives from the DILG to defend their budget in plenary. Being an opposition senator, much more one of the 'faces' of said opposition, convincing the agency to shape up their books was an ordeal.

Still, she added as many interventions as possible on the committee level. Siguro naman papasa na ito?

Not long after, Kiko banged the gavel three times. "Session is resumed."

"Mr. President, we resume the consideration of House Bill 3434 under Committee Report No. 45," Risa said on the podium.

With no objections on the floor, Kiko approved the motion, and the debates commenced once more.

Leni spent the next couple of hours fielding questions from several senators on the budget. The most extended, most challenging round of interpellations came from Neri, true to his fiscalizing ways.

While the two have their fundamental differences, particularly in economic and foreign policy, having him around allowed her to see angles she otherwise hadn't considered. These turned into budget amendments that itemized what was needed for the agencies to do their jobs.

She's just thankful she layered up today and strapped on some sneakers instead of the heels she typically wore. After three hours on her feet, Kiko suspended the session, allowing Leni to sigh with relief.

Leni took the elevator back to her office and ordered her staff made arrangements for the IPU trip. Like during her term as Congresswoman and later on, Vice President, she operated with a lean team, got the cheapest possible flights, and booked affordable hotels (provided they didn't skimp on the cleanliness).

During the afternoon session, Pia arrived for the debates with trays of balut and penoy - the senate equivalent of being late with coffee on hand - while she was interpellating JV on the DPWH budget. Upon seeing her, Leni wrapped up her interpellation and made a beeline for her.