The Tamesis
May 20, 2026
Manila “It took them decades to build the integrity of the Senate,” reads the top half of a widely circulated meme, which features a collage of past Senate politicians. Below is a collage of today’s 13 Senate majority members with the caption: “It only took them three days to ruin it.” The Philippine Senate is traditionally known for respected, senior, experienced and principled politicians/women.
“Statesmanship” means integrity (morality, honesty), wisdom (a deep understanding of common interests) and diplomacy (bridging differences and building consensus). Lorenzo Tanada, José Diokno, Jovito Salonga and Miriam Defensor Santiago are among our most famous senatorial politicians, all known for their strong principles and clean reputations.
A Senate dominated by people of such caliber is now history. As stated in a recent article , we now have a Senate made up not of politicians but of performers, each pursuing their own selfish agenda (more on that below) and disregarding their solemn obligation to safeguard the interests of the people they represent.
From the beginning, it is simply disgusting that today’s Senate has four sets of siblings (one of whom is a half-brother), making up a third of the Senate. Anyone would question that a country of 116 million people – and certainly a large group of people whose qualities are more deserving of the “honorable” title bestowed on the various people who now occupy these seats – could end up with such an anomaly.
Of course, we all know why, but I won’t go into details here. But the drama of the Senate coup and the transformation of a corpse into an illegal haven for internationally wanted criminals reveals a clear lack of moral compass among those who now wield power recklessly and irresponsibly within it.
To claim that the leadership ambush had nothing to do with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte is an insult to everyone’s intelligence. The entire screenplay and screenplay reeks of putrefaction.
One of them was the sudden appearance of fugitive Senator Ronald de la Rosa just to hold a vote on the Senate presidency, and his admission that he had been transported there in the elector’s car screamed of premeditation and well-thought-out planning.
Second, his cowardly, stumbling rush up the stairs to evade arrest, and his pathetic efforts to gain sympathy with his bandaged fingers in the process, only further weakened a man who once arrogantly wielded his power as the president’s chief executioner.
Third, the “protective detention” that had no legal basis was imposed on him, but two senators who had previously held the opposite position rejected this protection. This is full of arbitrariness and double standards.
Fourth, the comical exchange of fire (now known to have been initiated by Senate security personnel themselves), in which a senator clearly heard instructions to “hide the CCTV” and then called it an attack, all demonstrate dishonesty and deception.
Fifth, it’s stomach-churning to see senators conjure up images of panicked victims “under attack” only to see them feasting on a buffet and shamelessly tweeting about their flippant antics.
As for that new but slim majority, another meme circulating on social media shows the selfish motives for what they do. Six people implicated in flood control corruption scandal.
Two of them must be held accountable to the International Criminal Court. People have been openly supportive of the disgraced former president, and so have two of his colleagues, who even earlier declared that he would be happy to join them in a The Hague prison.
Some believe she aims to be the vice president’s running mate in 2028 if she doesn’t run for president herself.
One of them worked to protect her troubled son from the government’s P24 billion liability.
One of them is the sister of the incoming Senate leader, and her adulation of the former president explains much of his demeanor.
This is why no sane person can believe that the timing of the Senate coup has nothing to do with Vice President Duterte’s impeachment. “Tell that to the Marines,” I heard someone say.
The events of the past week have brought the Philippine Senate to its lowest point ever, and it will be an uphill climb to restore the nation’s respect and trust in the Senate.
It has effectively become known as the “House of Commons,” although members of another chamber have long preferred the term “Great House.” Unfortunately, the principled Senate minority who had nothing to do with this farce must also suffer the collective shame.
But there is hope that they can overturn the slim majority currently held by the notorious 13-nation bloc, which political analysts say is not only feasible but possible given the vagaries of Philippine politics. We pray that some of these 13 will listen to their inner consciences, decide to become real politicians, and help restore the tattered image and status of their institutions.
As for the rest of us, we can only sit back and continue to pray for the salvation of our country and the future of our children.
