Labor coalition NAGKAISA criticized recent changes in the Senate leadership, warning that the upper chamber may be turning into a “political bunker” allegedly shielding powerful officials from accountability, including Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
In a press statement signed by NAGKAISA chairperson Atty. Sonny Matula, the group said the Senate “must not be a safe house for the powerful,” following the unseating of Senate President Tito Sotto and the rise of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to the chamber’s top post, alongside Senator Loren Legarda’s elevation as Senate President Pro Tempore.
“The Senate is being turned into a political bunker — not only to weaken the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, but also to shield Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa from accountability,” Matula said.
The group also raised concern over what it described as declining standards in the upper chamber. “Nakakahiya ang Senado. Napakababa ng standards. Dismayado ang NAGKAISA,” the statement read.
NAGKAISA questioned whether the leadership changes were intended to ensure accountability or to create what it called an “emergency exit” for impeachment proceedings and a “safe house” for political allies.
“Ang Senado ay hindi dapat maging parking lot ng political protection. Dapat itong maging hall of accountability,” Matula added, stressing that public office should not be used to evade scrutiny amid corruption allegations and governance issues.
The coalition further urged the Senate to proceed with impeachment proceedings and cooperate with lawful processes involving Senator Dela Rosa, who is facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
“Hindi puwedeng ang hustisya ay naka-schedule lang kapag convenient sa mga makapangyarihan. Accountability is not optional,” the group said, calling on the chamber to respect both domestic and international accountability mechanisms.
NAGKAISA emphasized that the Senate should serve the Constitution and the public interest and warned against turning the institution into a protection for political allies or entrenched interests.
