MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday criticized recent developments in the Senate, saying he was alarmed by the chamber’s internal disputes, the controversy surrounding a reported shooting incident on May 13, and proposals to allow senators to participate and vote remotely.
Speaking to Filipino journalists in Tokyo as he concluded a four-day state visit to Japan, Marcos said he had “watched with horror” the events that unfolded in the Senate over the past three weeks. He said debates in the chamber had become increasingly personal compared with his experience as a senator from 2010 to 2016.
The President cited comments by former Senate President Franklin Drilon regarding the Senate’s handling of senators facing legal issues.
“How did that happen? I don’t understand how a Senate is supposed to function if those are the kind of things that the Senate is embroiled in,” Marcos said.
Marcos also referred to the May 13 incident involving personnel from the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, describing the reported shooting as “fake.”
“The discourse had gone shallow,” he said. “They’ve even reached the point of having a shooting, which turned out to be fake.”
The controversy followed efforts by authorities to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa later appeared in the Senate to vote for Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president before leaving the Senate complex.
Authorities subsequently launched operations in several areas but have not arrested Dela Rosa. Police also filed an obstruction of justice complaint against Sen. Robin Padilla for allegedly helping Dela Rosa evade arrest.
Marcos rejected claims by Sen. Imee Marcos that investigations involving members of the Senate majority bloc amounted to political persecution.
“The cases already existed even before the formation of a new majority bloc,” the President said. “If you look at it, they weren’t the majority then.”
Members of the majority bloc facing investigations include Sens. Jose Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta, Francis Escudero and Joel Villanueva. On Friday, Estrada posted bail before the Sandiganbayan in connection with a graft case involving alleged kickbacks and budget insertions in flood control projects.
The President also opposed proposals to allow senators to vote remotely outside emergency situations. The proposal became the subject of a dispute in the Senate after minority senators staged a walkout to protest what they described as an attempt to fast-track its approval.
Marcos said remote voting was acceptable during the COVID-19 pandemic but should not apply to senators facing arrest warrants.
“For someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, who is wanted by the police, who is wanted by Interpol and has an arrest warrant from the ICC, I don’t think he should vote until he gets to the Senate,” he said.
Separately, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said senators under detention could still participate in proceedings, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, by obtaining leave from the court.
Meanwhile, the Justice Reform Initiative said Senate rules on attendance, quorum and voting are essential safeguards for the legitimacy of Senate proceedings. The group said any rule changes affecting impeachment proceedings must comply with constitutional requirements and established procedures.