Latest in Philippine SenateThe ongoing leadership crisis in the Philippine Senate is not only hurting legislative productivity and institutional credibility but is also costing the country its window to prepare for a severe El Niño expected later this year, the dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) National College…
Members of the Senate media and the National Press Club of the Philippines on Thursday, June 4, condemned Senator Rodante Marcoleta for his sweeping claim that many members of the mainstream media are nothing more than paid hacks—calling the remark irresponsible, reckless, and an attack on an…
The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday formally filed criminal information before the Sandiganbayan against Senator Jinggoy Estrada for plunder—a non-bailable offense—under Republic Act No. 7080 and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act under Republic Act No. 3019.…
Senator Jinggoy Estrada is set to be slapped with plunder and other related charges in connection with the flood control scandal, with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announcing that he will sign the information against the senator and file it with the Sandiganbayan as early as Thursday…
Charter change has never been on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda, Malacañang said, contradicting Senator Imee Marcos’ allegations that the President is pushing for constitutional amendments to extend the terms of incumbent officials until 2031, lower the presidential age requirement to 35…
Incoming Labor Secretary Francis “Tol” Tolentino brings to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) a career spanning four decades of public service—from the mayoralty of Tagaytay City to the halls of the Philippine Senate. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Tolentino to the post, according…
Former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon issued a pointed warning that the Senate’s handling of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will be closely watched—and that if the chamber is seen as protecting political allies rather than serving accountability, the public may rise up as it…
Former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon on Saturday, May 23 renewed his call for the Ombudsman to reopen the Pharmally investigation, citing specific figures that underscore the scale of the alleged anomaly: a company with only ₱625,000 in capital received ₱11.7 billion in government contracts, and…
Former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon on Saturday, May 23, raised the legal specter of criminal liability for senators who placed Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa under protective custody, saying they may be liable as accessories to a crime under the Revised Penal Code—and naming Senate President…
Former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon on Saturday said the Philippine Senate burned itself by placing Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa under protective custody and shielding him from the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, saying while he is not ready to declare the entire Senate has…
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday, May 23, validated the widely shared public perception that the Philippine Senate has degenerated from a deliberative body of statesmen into a spectacle—agreeing with “organic netizens” who have been comparing the chamber to a children’s playground, and…
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday, May 23, flatly dismissed allegations that the minority bloc’s push for a Senate leadership change is driven by a desire to advance a Constituent Assembly, calling the claim baseless and saying the subject has never come up in any of the minority’s…
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday called for a Senate-wide retreat and collective self-reflection as the most meaningful first step toward rebuilding the institution’s dignity and integrity, invoking the model set by Senate President Jovito Salonga after the 1989 coup attempt—when Salonga…
The minority bloc of 11 senators has cemented its non-negotiable position ahead of any coalition talks with the majority—Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian must be the next Senate President. “Si Senator Sherwin ang aming itatalaga na Senate President. At least, in the meantime, or for the meantime…
Even senators themselves privately acknowledge that the institution’s reputation has sunk to its lowest point in recent memory, with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson saying the public anger directed at the Senate in the wake of the May 13 shooting incident and the ongoing political turmoil is…
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