A group of former Senate Presidents issued a rare joint statement calling for calm, restraint, and institutional unity amid what they described as a growing “Senate brouhaha” affecting public confidence in the upper chamber.
In a collective message released on Friday, June 5, the former leaders of the Senate emphasized their “shared moral duty” to the institution they once led, urging incumbent senators to prioritize the dignity and stability of the chamber over political tensions and internal disputes.
The statement was signed by former Senate Presidents, including Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, and Franklin Drilon.
They stressed that the highest responsibility of a Senate President is not to cling to power but to strengthen the institution and uphold the rule of law.
“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,” the statement read.
The former leaders also appealed to current senators to de-escalate heated rhetoric, noting that public disputes risk undermining trust in the Senate. They urged lawmakers to confine disagreements to proper legislative forums where arguments and votes can be properly scrutinized.
They further called on the chamber to focus on urgent national priorities, including the economy, food and energy security, and justice, instead of internal political maneuvering.
“The country cannot afford an unstable Senate at a time of mounting economic pressures, security threats, and growing public distrust in institutions,” they warned.
The appeal comes amid heightened political tensions within the Senate, with calls for adherence to constitutional processes, institutional rules, and long-standing legislative traditions in order to resolve the internal crisis swiftly and responsibly.
