Struggle for Power

… and the drama goes on.

It’s all about power. Did we vote for senators so they could have power, and protect, preserve and prolong their power? Well, indirectly, yes. It may not sound ideal, but when we voted for Congressman Manhik-manaog, we gave him the power of the office of his position, and indirectly, the power to vote for positions that may serve the interest he, by the power of his own volition, decides to pursue.

All this drama (with some action interludes) or this chapter of a grander drama, all began when Congress voted to impeach Vice President Sarah Duterte, and submitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Then, suddenly, most of the senators decided that they’re not okay with Tito Sen as senate president, and resolved to place Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano on the position. Of course, Sen. Bato dela Rosa had to cast his vote to ensure that they be the majority. What followed were a chase scene, a shootout, a great escape and Sen. Pia Cayetano in deep resentment over her claim of the new minority senators allegedly not asking how she was. When the smoke cleared, Sen. Imee Marcos accused the senators from the other side of the aisle of planning to connive for charter change which would give way for President Bongbong Marcos’ term extension. (Yes, they are sister and brother, in case you’re thinking maybe, they just have the same last names by coincidence.) Of course, the minority senators had to protest this. Then, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta moved for a new rule to permit absent senators to vote online. They wrangled about rules which concluded on the minority walking out, leaving them no choice but to adjourn. I was struck with “Can they do that?”. Well, I guess, they can, and they did. But, of course, they can’t keep doing that when faced with issues that they don’t see eye to eye on.

Apparently, senators who would vote online are senators who could not physically make it to attend sessions. The primary beneficiary would be Senator Bato who is now technically, a fugitive. Can a fugitive government official still be officially recognized to perform his duties? Doesn’t the fugitive status already nullify his vote or any form of performance of duty? I suppose, any official who works to implement, make or interpret laws, should respect the law. The way I see it, if he becomes a fugitive, he forfeits the duty to perform on the law. (That’s just my opinion.)

I didn’t know that there were pending arrests for Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva. So, that would include them in potential beneficiaries. What does that mean? Did these two also plan to go on the run as fugitives. This had to be the first case when senators run even without elections.

When this week opened, the saga continued with the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant of arrest against him for a non-bailable plunder case. The charges stem from allegations that he received over ₱573 million in illegal kickbacks linked to anomalous flood control projects in the 2025 national budget. Notice the word, “non-bailable” there. Following his booking and a medical assessment, Estrada was transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, where he is currently detained alongside his co-accused.

Some might say, at least, Senator Jinggoy showed himself to be more honorable in surrendering and accepting arrest, as opposed to the missing in action Senator Bato. Well, not that defending the latter, but his arrest poses higher stakes. If he gets caught, he would be taken to The Hague to stand trial before ICC, and face the possibility of never going home in a lengthy sentence if convicted. But, maybe he could have done it without a chase, shootout and an escape which dragged the whole Senate community -senators, staff, media and others in a scarring traumatic experience, and an institutionally shameful historic event.

As protest, the majority has not come to sessions in the Senate. So, can pupils not come to class just because they don’t want to?

Now, that’s 13 majority senators minus the fleeing Senator Bato and the now arrested Senator Jinggoy equals 11. If Senator Joel follows Senator Jinggoy’s path, it would make them 10. Would they still be the majority if the minority becomes greater in number? If I were one of the minority senators along Senators Lacson and Sotto, are you thinking what I’m thinking? I know what that twinkle in your eye means.

These shifting of positions(which led to action scenes), accusations, motion for new rules and mass walkout blew up from a struggle for power. With the coming impeachment trial, the pro-Sarah Duterte bloc, has to secure their positions to effectively ensure that their patron saint be protected no matter what.

I wonder how the drama would continue on the rest of this month.

“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.'"”

Mark 10:44