More than 200 protesters gathered outside the Senate on Monday, hours before it was set to convene as an impeachment court against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling for justice for victims of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and condemning political developments inside the legislature.
The Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court at 3 p.m.
According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, members of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates joined the rally, chanting calls for accountability and justice.
Protesters carried placards and images of senators, while expressing strong criticism of Senate leadership under Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
The demonstrators also renewed calls for a full-scale manhunt and the immediate arrest of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who has been a central figure in the Duterte-era anti-drug campaign.
Also joining the mobilization was the Power for People Coalition, which said political tensions in the Senate are overshadowing urgent public concerns, particularly issues affecting ordinary citizens.
The group highlighted rising electricity costs, the burden of government-imposed charges passed on to consumers, and the ongoing energy and fuel crises as key issues being neglected amid political disputes.
Labor leader Leody de Guzman criticized the misplaced priorities among public officials, saying political infighting is being prioritized over the needs of struggling Filipinos.
“Mali ang ginagawa ng mga pulitiko na mas inuuna ang pag-aagawan sa kapangyarihan kaysa sa tugunin ang pangangailangan ng mamamayang hirap na hirap na ngayon dahil nakalubog sa krisis,” de Guzman said.
He added that the energy crisis has become particularly severe, with vulnerable sectors affected by electricity shortages and rising costs.
“And especially yung crisis sa kuryente na marami nang matatandang namamatay dahil sa kawalan ng kuryente. Sa halip na ito unahing, sikmura ng mamamayan, ang inuuna ay yung pag-aagawan sa kapangyarihan. Yan yung problema sa ating gobyerno. Palagi na lamang ang interest nila at hindi ang interest ng taong bayan ang kanilang inuuna,” he said.
Security was tight around the Senate complex, with more than 900 police personnel deployed.
Protesters were prevented from approaching the main Senate gate after authorities set up barricades several meters away from the entrance.
