Senator Imee Marcos pushed back against accusations that the current Senate majority had damaged the institution’s honor, arguing instead that the Senate’s credibility began to decline under the previous leadership due to the alleged cover-up of the masterminds behind the flood control corruption controversy.
Speaking at a media forum, Marcos said the Senate’s reputation suffered when hearings related to the issue were halted, particularly the proceedings of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
“Parati kaming [current majority bloc] sinisisi na ibinaon daw namin ang dangal ng Senado. Ang totoo, nawala ang dangal ng Senado nung pinagtatakpan ‘yung mga mastermind ng flood control, nung hininto ang Blue Ribbon. Doon talaga nabaon yung dangal ng Senado aminin natin,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, former Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo Lacson earlier failed to secure enough signatures to sponsor the committee’s partial report in plenary after some former minority members declined to sign the document and allegedly encouraged other senators to withhold support.
The senator added that the recent tensions inside the Senate, including heated exchanges, arguments, and walkouts, were merely consequences of unresolved issues surrounding the flood control controversy.
“Itong mga takbuhan, sigawan, alitan, bardagulan, sabihin natin, hindi naman ‘yan eh. ‘Yan na lang ang offshoot ng ugat ng problema na hindi matuloy-tuloy yung flood control,” she said.
Marcos also claimed that the controversy worsened following discussions on Charter change and alleged proposals for term extension, which she previously said were being pushed by some lawmakers and the administration.
“Pagkatapos, lumala pa from flood control, naging Cha-cha pa at term extension. Doon naman talaga nababaon ang aming institusyon ng Senado, ng inyong Senado. Doon talaga nagkakaproblema,” she added.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Marcos said she hopes both sides in the Senate can eventually reconcile and focus on addressing national concerns.
“Ngayon, kung ano ang itutuloy, inaasahan ko na mag-uusap-usap sa mga susunod na araw at sana magkasundo na kasi hindi naman maganda itong sila na ang nagsabi ng napaka-unparliamentary na kulong na ang dalawa sa inyo,” she said.
“Sila pa yung nag-walkout. Sila pa ang matapang mag-walkout. Tama ba ’yun? Kaya eto nga, sana magkasundo na yung dalawang panig. Titiisin na namin sila. Titiisin na rin nila kami. Pero huwag naman ganon. Pag sila, pwede. Pag kami, hindi pwede. Eh hindi naman tama yung ganon,” she added.
The remarks came after a tense confrontation erupted in the Senate during plenary deliberations on a proposed amendment that would allow electronic voting in the chamber.
The dispute began when members of the majority bloc attempted to revive discussions on the proposed rule change. Minority senators opposed the move, arguing that the manner in which the proposal was being discussed allegedly violated existing Senate rules and procedures.
The disagreement eventually prompted minority senators to stage a walkout during the plenary deliberations.
Marcos said Senate leaders are expected to hold further caucuses and meetings in the coming days to determine the next course of action before Friday, May 30.
The senator added that she hopes both sides can settle their differences soon so the Senate can refocus on addressing pressing national concerns, including food security, affordable fuel, and public healthcare.
“Sana magkasundo na sa lalong madaling panahon dahil para sa akin gusto ko nang tutukan ang trabaho at lubayan na itong mga issues na pampolitika na hindi naman magdudulot ng karagdagang pagkain, ng gasolinang abot-kaya, ng kalusugan para sa lahat,” she said.
