Citizen-led watchdog group ‘Bantay Senado’ said it would support any move by senators to install a Senate President who could better serve the public interest, particularly in ensuring the smooth conduct of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Cleve Arguelles of Bantay Senado said the group would defer to senators on matters of leadership but stressed that it is open to backing a change if lawmakers believe a different Senate President could more effectively preside over proceedings in the upper chamber.
“Susuportahan po namin kung sa tingin ng ibang mga senador ay meron po silang mai-offer sa publiko na mas mainam na Senate President,” Arguelles said in an interview over DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Tuesday.
Arguelles said recent developments in the Senate, including leadership changes and public controversies, have fueled public perception that these may be connected to ongoing political tensions surrounding an impeachment trial.
“I think wala naman pong kumbinsido sa ating mga kababayan na wala pong kinalaman yung impeachment trial doon sa mga nagdaang linggo sa Senado, doon sa mga pagbabago po ng liderato, yung nangyaring barilan at iba pang drama doon sa Senate,” he said.
Because of this, Arguelles said there is a need for a watchdog presence to ensure senators are aware that the public is closely monitoring their actions, particularly to guard against possible delays or obstruction in the impeachment proceedings.
He said concerns have grown that instability in leadership could affect the conduct of the trial.
“We're also worried na sa mga susunod na panahon, maaari din po bang yung impeachment court ay nawawalan ng presiding officer at hindi makapag-gawa ng kanyang trabaho. Maaari kasing maging source ng delay,” he said.
Arguelles also raised concern over the absence of Senate leadership during key sessions, citing Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano as an example.
“Halimbawa po yan kahapon, ang presiding officer po, si Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, medyo nakakadismaya, di ba, na hindi po siya nagpakita doon sa dapat na sesyon ng Senado,” he said, referring to the majority bloc no-show issue at the Senate on Monday including SP Cayetano.
He stressed that the presiding officer in an impeachment court must be seen as credible and committed to the process, noting that public trust is essential amid widespread misinformation outside the chamber.
“Kung yan po, sa tingin ng Senado, baka mas mainam may ibang presiding officer, susuportahan po yan ng Bantay Senado,” Arguelles said.
However, he clarified that the group is not actively calling for a leadership change.
“Hands off naman po yung Bantay Senado kung gusto po ng ating mga senators na magpalit ng kanilang leadership. Pero bukas po yung Bantay Senado na sumuporta po sa Senate President na gagampanan po yung kanyang tungkulin na magpreside po sa isang impeachment court,” he said.
