Former Senate President Franklin Drilon painted a stark picture of growing instability in the Philippine Senate, describing it as the most volatile period in the chamber’s history.
Speaking on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Drilon said Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s resignation as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was not merely a personal decision but a calculated political maneuver meant to protect Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III from a looming leadership challenge.
“King’s Gambit” in the Senate
“Ang tawag ko diyan ‘King’s Gambit’,” Drilon explained, borrowing the term from chess. He claimed that the pressure mounting against Sotto’s leadership was partly tied to controversies hounding Lacson’s committee.
“In other words, dahilan [kung bakit] nagagamit ang mga kasamahan niya doon sa mga nangyayari sa blue ribbon committee ang nagtangkang alisin si Sotto kung hindi magreresign si Ping Lacson. ‘Yan ang aking paningin bilang dating politiko, in other words to save Sotto, magbitiw si Ping Lacson.”
Drilon argued that the resignation was a tactical sacrifice to preserve Sotto’s position, but he underscored that it did not guarantee stability. “Walang assurance diyan. Kasi pwedeng ‘yan ngayon mangyari tapos bukas iba na naman. At ‘yan ang problema sa ating senado,” he warned, pointing out how easily alliances shift in the 24-member chamber.
The former Senate president highlighted how family blocs further complicate leadership arithmetic. He cited the Cayetano and Villar siblings as examples of groups unlikely to split their votes, which reduces the certainty of Sotto’s 15 reported supporters.
With senators JV Ejercito and Win Gatchalian already voicing dissatisfaction over current developments, Drilon noted that Sotto’s leadership remained at risk despite Lacson’s concession.
Weak Party System Fuels Instability
Drilon also reflected on the structural weaknesses that make the Senate prone to such upheavals.
“Sa Amerika, ilang ang partido kausap ng pangulo ng senado? Dalawa. Sa laki ng Amerika, dalawa lamang ang kausap ng pangulo ng senado. Dito sa ating bansa, dalawampu’t-apat kaya hirap na hirap ang pangulo ng senado,” he observed.
According to him, the absence of a functioning party system has left the Senate fragmented into 24 personal constituencies, making consensus and stability difficult to maintain.
On Lacson’s record as Blue Ribbon chair, Drilon was sympathetic, emphasizing the senator’s intent to pursue accountability.
“Tama ‘yong kanyang ginawa, sinusuportahan ko si Sen. Ping. Dahilan sa pagbubunyag ng katotohanan ‘yan ang hinahanap ng taong bayan,” he said. But he acknowledged that Lacson’s sweeping statement that all senators had budget “insertions” created unnecessary backlash.
Drilon clarified that amendments, often derided as “insertions,” are in fact part of a legislator’s constitutional prerogatives.
“Ang masama ‘yong execution dahil lang sa ‘yong nilagay doon [ay] substandard ‘yong execution or hindi ginawa at sa papel lamang nabuo ‘yong isang proyekto. Ang insertion ay hindi masama o illegal.”
Strengthening Institutions Over Power Plays
The former senator also reacted strongly to former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for mass resignations and a snap election to reset the political climate. “Ako po ay hindi sang-ayon diyan,” Drilon said.
“Nakikiusap ako kay aking kaibigan si Alan Peter Cayetano ‘wag niyang itulak ang ganyang klaseng panukala dahil magiging banana republic tayo, everytime may problema tayo ang panawagan magresign kayo lahat. Walang mangyayari sa ating demokrasya kung ganoon ang ating susundin na patakaran.”
Drilon stressed that the solution lies not in abrupt leadership changes but in strengthening institutions and demanding accountability from government agencies tasked with preventing corruption.
He also called on the public to elect leaders of integrity to restore order and public trust. “Doon sa ating halalan, dapat ‘yong mga matitino ang ating ihalal sa pwesto, hindi ‘yong mga barumbado,” he remarked, urging calm and restraint among political leaders.
Despite the turbulence, Drilon predicted that Sotto could still hold on to the Senate presidency—thanks in part to Lacson’s resignation—but only for as long as fragile alliances remain intact.
For Drilon, the greater danger is not who holds the gavel, but how the constant instability threatens the country’s democratic framework.
