Malacañang has pinned the blame on frequent leadership shakeups and political infighting within the Senate for stalling legislative progress and delaying the passage of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s key priority measures.
The statement from the Executive branch came as a response to Senator Imee Marcos, who recently criticized the Senate’s performance as “palpak” after it passed just two of the administration’s 53 priority bills over the past year.
Addressing the criticism, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out that continuous leadership shifts created instability, triggering internal friction and a three-day session boycott right before Congress adjourned sine die in June.
“Unang-una, sino ba ang nag-umpisa ng pagbabago ng liderato? At noong nagkaroon ng pagbabago ng liderato, nandoon na iyong nagkaroon ng putukan (sa) Senado, nagkaroon na ng gulo sa Senado, nagkaroon ng tatlong araw na sunod-sunod na hindi pagpunta at pag-attend sa sesyon,” Castro said.
Castro called on members of the Senate to set aside personal political ambitions and focus on serving the nation.
“Magsilbing aral sana ito sa lahat ng mga public servants na hindi puwedeng daanin sa ganitong klase ang pamumuno at ang dapat na laging manguna ay ang interes ng bayan, hindi ang sariling interes, hindi ang interes para lagi lang mamuno, kung hindi dapat ay para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,” she added.
In a video posted online, Senator Marcos attributed the Senate’s low legislative output to constant changes at the helm—having seen four Senate Presidents in under a year—as well as lengthy political distractions, including Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Key measures currently stuck in legislative limbo include reforms on political dynasties, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the Rice Tariffication Law, online sexual abuse, and bank secrecy laws.
The Senate’s leadership turbulence began when Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was succeeded by Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in September 2025. Sotto was later ousted in a May coup led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who was subsequently replaced by Senate President Win Gatchalian during a special session in June.
The situation deteriorated further following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada over graft and plunder charges linked to flood control project kickbacks.