Senator Risa Hontiveros issued a sharp rebuke of the current state of the Senate on Tuesday, following the viral circulation of CCTV footage showing Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa allegedly evading National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents within the legislative building.
The incident, which reportedly occurred as agents attempted to serve an ICC arrest warrant, has sparked widespread public ridicule—a situation Hontiveros described as a blow to the institution’s dignity and credibility.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakahiya na pinagtatawanan ng marami sa ating mga kababayan ang Senado ngayon. Alam kong marami ang nadismaya, nasaktan, at nagalit, at sa totoo lang, naiintindihan ko kung bakit.”
Hontiveros detailed a chaotic scene that unfolded within the halls of power, involving scuffles between Senate security and law enforcement that resulted in at least one injured Senate staffer.
“Habulan at taguan sa hagdan. Girian sa pagitan ng mga security at law enforcement personnel. May empleyado ng Senado na nasaktan.”
The senator warned that the spectacle serves as a distraction from the chamber’s legislative duties, noting that “the Senate is going viral for the wrong reasons.” She directed a challenge toward the leadership of newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to restore order and address the misuse of parliamentary traditions to bypass legal accountability.
“Nawawala ang paggalang at tiwala ng taumbayan sa Senado when our powers and traditions are being misused to avoid accountability. Ibalik natin ang respeto, ang maayos na proseso, at ang pananagutan sa ating institusyon.”
Despite the tension, Hontiveros vowed to continue her oversight functions, emphasizing that the public deserves better than the “crisis” currently unfolding in the plenary.