Manila, June 12 -- Senate President Francis Escudero closed the third regular session of the 19th Congress on Wednesday night with a message of gratitude and unity, thanking fellow senators and Senate employees for their work while calling for continued trust and respect across political lines.

Speaking during the sine die adjournment at the Senate plenary, Escudero kept his speech short and lighthearted.

"Bugbog tayo sa trabaho, bugbog tayo sa labas, bugbog pa rin tayo sa loob (We were battered by work, from the outside, and even from within)," he said, as he described the intense workload in the last two weeks.

Escudero delivered brief, humorous farewells to colleagues, thanking them for their contributions and camaraderie.

He prai...