The chaotic events in the Philippine Senate on May 26, 2026 was a culmination of a series of farcical events that unmasked the fallacy of the “democratic institution” of the Senate, the upper house of the reactionary legislature.
Senator “Bato” de la Rosa, has been hiding for six months to avoid a possible arrest by virtue of an unannounced warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a co-conspirator in former president Rodrigo Duterte case of crime against humanity. He suddenly appeared at the Senate to cast the decisive 13th vote to elect Senator Allan Cayetano as new Senate President. A ludicrous video clip of “Bato” stumbling while running helter skelter away from arresting officers has caught the attention of the local and international media.
The newly elected Senate President Cayetano placed “Bato” under a dubious “protective custody” but two days later staged a fake siege, with more than 40 shots fired, initiated by his crony Sergeant-at-arms, to allow “Bato” to escape a few hours later. This shameless ruckus not only endangered the lives of more than a hundred people: senators, staff, other personnel and media. Worse, media, religious groups, sectoral organizations, practically everyone, critizised these shenanigans as sinking the reputation of the Senate to unprecedentedly low levels.
As if this monkey business (with apologies to monkeys) is not enough, the pro-Duterte majority, in danger of losing the majority due to impending arrests of it’s members, is now railroading a rule to allow senators to vote on-line. One of them even stupidly justified this by citing force majeure brought by the war in Iran, threat of US-China conflict and climate change. None of them wants to mention that Senator “Bato” is again on the run, Senator Bong Go mentioned by ICC as also a co-conspirator of Rodrigo Duterte and could be soon arrested, three more were announced by the Ombudsman as facing arrest for graft and plunder.
What is clear is that these senators are desperately preventing the impeachment procedure against Vice President Sara Duterte where detailed evidences of malfeasance would damage her, prevent her from getting elected in 2028, and politically destroy the Duterte clan and cohorts.
The other political faction, the Marcos dynasty and supporters, welcomes, if not working behind the scenes, the downfall of its rival faction. This will reduce the pressure on President Marcos Jr and his cohorts, former Congressman Zaldy Co, former House Speaker Romualdez (Marcos first cousin), former Executive Secretary Bersamin, and former Budget Secretary Pangandaman, for accountability in the systemic corruption in the flood control projects.
Despite the media attention on the Senate hullabaloo, a recent survey revealed that Marcos Jr’s net popularity has nosedived to a historic low of -15%. This reflects the people’s frustration and anger over his incapacity to solve the severe impact of the US war of aggression against Iran on the Filipino people’s sufferings. Marcos regime is helpless in regulating the uncontrolled fuel prices due to the neoliberal policy of oil deregulation. The government is at the mercy of oil cartel’s profiteering. Inflation rate is at a high of 7.2%. Stagflation is a real danger to the economy.
The Filipino people are angry at this political circus, while they continue to suffer the impact of the crisis. The imperative of revolutionary change is clearer than ever. The people should be aroused, organized and mobilized to oust this reactionary government. To rebel is justified!