Four former Senate presidents on Friday called on incumbent senators to swiftly resolve the leadership dispute hounding the chamber, warning that the country cannot afford an unstable Senate amid pressing national concerns.
In a joint statement, former Senate Presidents Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Franklin Drilon said the Senate must rise above internal maneuvering and protect public confidence in the institution.
“We, former Presidents of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, speak at this difficult moment out of our shared moral duty to the institution we once had the honor to lead,” they said.
The former Senate leaders said the highest duty of a Senate President is not to hold on to power, but to preserve the dignity and stability of the chamber.
“Those of us who once held the gavel know that the highest duty of a Senate President is not to cling to office but to leave the institution stronger, more respected, and more firmly bound to the rule of law than when he or she found it,” they said.
They urged senators from all blocs to tone down public exchanges that could further damage the Senate’s image and deepen public distrust in institutions.
“We call on all incumbent senators, regardless of bloc or affiliation, to de-escalate public rhetoric that demeans the Senate and weakens confidence in it; to confine their disagreements to the floor and to the proper forums, where the arguments and the votes can be scrutinized by the public; and to prioritize the urgent work before the Senate (the economy, food and energy security, and justice) over internal maneuvering,” they said.
The statement came amid the continuing leadership dispute in the Senate following the June 3 reorganization that divided senators over the chamber’s leadership and committee authority.
The former Senate presidents said the row must be settled “swiftly” and only through constitutional, procedural, and institutional means.
“We urge all members of the chamber to resolve this crisis swiftly, within the bounds of the Constitution, the rules, and long-standing practice,” they said.
They added the Senate must immediately return its focus to legislation and oversight work, especially on issues affecting the economy, food and energy security, and justice.
“The country cannot afford an unstable Senate at a time of mounting economic pressures, security threats, and growing public distrust in institutions,” they said.
Pimentel served as Senate President from 2016 to 2018; Sotto from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2025 to 2026; Zubiri from 2022 to 2024; and Drilon in 2000, from 2001 to 2006, and from 2013 to 2016. (PNA)