President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has criticized the Senate leadership, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, for failing to attend crucial plenary sessions. During a recent event, he expressed his discontent, stating, 'Get back to work. Because it’s important — ang dami nating kailangang gawin (we have so many things we need to do).'
A Call for Legislative Action
The Senate has struggled with attendance issues, with the majority bloc repeatedly skipping sessions. Marcos described the situation as 'disarray,' emphasizing the need for stability to allow citizens to plan for their futures amid ongoing national challenges.
The best description I can have is that the legislature is now in disarray. But that is exactly the opposite from what we are trying to achieve.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President
Since Cayetano's election as Senate president on May 11, unprecedented events have unfolded, including a shooting incident and tensions surrounding
Marcos lamented the lack of cooperation from the Senate, stating, 'The other departments continue to work. The Executive continues to work. The Judiciary continues to work. Why does the Legislature decide to stop working? I don’t understand that.'
Amidst this turmoil, key legislative matters, such as a supplemental budget in response to the global oil crisis, remain unresolved. Marcos emphasized the importance of adhering to established rules for session cancellations, questioning the justifications provided by the majority.
The ongoing conflict highlights a significant schism within Philippine politics, primarily between the