A big question hangs over the Senate halls today: is what is happening in our government chaos or a circus? Within just a few weeks, the nation has witnessed a bewildering display of power, where the strong institution of the Senate seems to have vanished due to personal and political interests. While the Philippines faces multiple economic and security crises, lawmakers are busy fighting over positions.
The turmoil began with a rapid power play. On June 3, 12 senators reached a quorum under acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to declare all positions vacant, reorganize committees, and appoint Senator Erwin Tulfo as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meanwhile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that he remains the legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President.
Due to the lack of 13 votes required by the Constitution, Gatchalian is not yet fully official as Senate President. On June 4, Cayetano's group, along with Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta, held a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing without the Senate Secretary and stenographers. Worse, a tense incident occurred when DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla allegedly tried to block 18 Marines from entering to testify on the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, but was stopped by Senators Pia Cayetano and Robin Padilla.
Although Remulla later denied blocking the soldiers, a big question lingers: is this a deliberate sabotage of proper process? This drama began on May 11, when Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa suddenly appeared to vote for Cayetano as new Senate President replacing Senator Tito Sotto, after six months of hiding due to an ICC warrant over the war on drugs. After the vote, he suddenly fled at dawn on May 14 and has not been arrested by authorities. They have turned the law and the Senate halls into a playground.
If the lawmakers themselves do not follow proper process and fight over power, what respect will the people have left for the law? While senators go crazy choosing who the real leader is—Gatchalian or Cayetano—and who is the rightful committee chairman, basic laws for education, agriculture, and public welfare remain unaddressed.
The Senate is not a circus. It is the house of the people's representatives. This chaos must stop. They must unite under the Constitution, not under personal protection or desire for power, because in the end, the biggest loser in all this is the Filipino people who expect genuine service.
