President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. could not have chosen more telling words. Speaking in Tokyo on May 29, he said: "I watched with horror that the Senate has become this." He was referring to what should have been one of the country’s most important democratic institutions descending into a spectacle of personal loyalties, factional maneuvering, and other degradations, according to an opinion piece by BusinessWorld .
The president's remarks come amid heightened political tensions and criticism of the Senate's handling of key legislative matters. Observers noted that the comment reflects growing frustration within the executive branch over legislative delays and partisan conflicts that have hindered governance.
The BusinessWorld editorial underscored the need for the Senate to rise above factional interests and fulfill its constitutional role as a check on the executive. The piece concluded that restoring public trust in the institution requires a return to substantive debate and accountability.