Sen. Imee Marcos expressed dismay over the Senate’s low number of priority bills passed over the past year, saying lawmakers became too preoccupied with political issues and changes in leadership.

In a video statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, Marcos said the Senate passed only two of the 53 priority bills identified by the government.

“Kung eskwela ‘to, lagpak kaming mga estudyante nito,” Marcos said, describing the Senate’s performance.

She said the number could have been higher if other measures, including cooperative bills, had not been removed from the list.

“Kulang pa yan ha, kasi meron pa dyan yung mga CO-OP bills, mga kung ano-ano na tinanggal na. 53 sana yun… Dalawa lang napasa namin, pambihira, napakapalpak namin. At mga importante itong 53 na ito, talagang priority ito, political dynasty, online sexual abuse, bank secrecy, nako bakit dyan tinatago ‘yung mga flood control na libo-libo?” Marcos said.

“Pagkatapos, andito pa yung amendments to EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act], nako ‘yung elektrisidad na namamatay na tayo, rice tarification amendment, nako ‘yung bigas na kamahal-mahal, lahat ‘yan, naisantabi,” she added.

The senator also blamed the Senate’s frequent leadership changes for affecting the chamber’s legislative work.

She noted that the Senate had four presidents within a year, resulting in repeated changes in leadership.

“Hindi ako nag-e-excuse slip ha. Pero sa totoo lang, nakita naman ninyo, sa isang taon, sa Senado, ilan ang aming presidente? Apat ang Senate President sa loob ng isang taon,” Marcos emphasized.

“Wala na kaming ginawa, kundi palitan nang palitan ng mamumuno. Sus, palpak talaga ’yan na lang ang ginawa namin,” she said.

According to Marcos, political issues including impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte also took up much of the Senate’s time.

She said the first impeachment proceeding in July 2025 was dismissed, only for another impeachment case to follow.

“Ano pa ang ginawa namin? Maliban sa politika, talagang mas marami pang politika. Dalawang impeachment,” Marcos said.

The senator also questioned the amount of public funds being spent on Senate operations while lawmakers struggle to pass measures that she said are being awaited by the public.

Marcos cited an estimated ₱25 million in daily Senate expenses and said the time spent on impeachment proceedings could have been used to work on legislation.

“Kung may napasa kaming dalawa nung nakaraang taon, palagay ko, may [impeachment] trial na aabutin daw ng 7 hanggang 9 na buwan... Naku, daming aksaya ng panahon, ’di ko matanggap, ₱25 million a day, isipin mo ’yan ang pagtitipon sa araw-araw ng Senado,” she said.

“Sana huwag na politika ang tutukan, gawin na natin ang mga batas na inaabangan ng tao,” she said.