By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Makati Business Club (MBC) issued a blistering rebuke against senators, warning that the ongoing political turmoil inside the Senate is pushing the institution toward a dangerous collapse of public trust at a critical moment in Philippine democracy.
As the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte, the country’s influential business leaders challenged lawmakers to rise above political maneuvering and personal survival, warning that the nation is closely watching every move they make.
“History will judge you by your actions during this critical period,” the MBC declared.
The group said the Senate has been consumed by “unprecedented chaos and drama” in recent weeks, damaging the institution’s credibility at a time when stability, independence, and leadership are most needed.
According to the MBC, senators were elected to defend the Constitution and serve the Filipino people—not to protect political alliances, personal ambitions, or vested interests.
The business group emphasized that restoring the Senate’s battered reputation now largely falls on the shoulders of newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
MBC described the Senate presidency as more than a political position, calling it the institution’s “moral compass” and public face—one that must demonstrate fairness, independence, and integrity amid growing national tension.
The group warned that if Filipinos begin viewing Senate leadership as openly partisan or politically compromised, confidence in the entire institution could further deteriorate.
“Public confidence erodes when leaders fail to show independence and moral authority,” the statement said.
The statement was released following weeks of escalating controversy inside the Senate, including the dramatic attempt by authorities to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The confrontation reportedly involved National Bureau of Investigation agents, Senate security personnel, and a shooting incident inside the Senate complex on May 13, before dela Rosa later slipped out of the premises hours afterward.
MBC warned that the Senate now faces one of the most serious institutional crises in recent memory, precisely as it prepares to carry out one of its most consequential constitutional responsibilities.
The group urged senators to put the country above politics, restore dignity to the chamber, and prove that democratic institutions remain stronger than political self-interest.
ia/xf
