Former President Rodrigo Duterte has brazenly challenged the Philippine Senate, taunting it to act against him with an air of invincibility. He marched into the chambers with a declaration that he is above the law. Duterte has openly admitted to sanctioning the deaths of drug suspects and the formation of death squads. Confident in his unyielding support base, he claims Filipinos knowingly embraced a “bloody” presidency when they voted for him. His message is clear: he believes his political base will stand by him, no matter the cost.
Now, the Philippine Senate must respond with a resolve that befits a democratic institution. It cannot waver; it must assert its authority and make it unequivocally clear that the rule of law is the backbone of governance in the Philippines—not the whims of a strongman. Duterte’s tactics are little more than political theater, relying on intimidation and spectacle. If the Senate falters here, it risks losing the last remnants of its legitimacy as a democratic safeguard. The Senate has one clear path forward: it must rise to defend democracy, enforce accountability, and show that no one, not even Duterte, is above the law.
Yes, some senators may be inclined to play it safe, keeping their political careers in mind. And indeed, some members are loyal to Duterte, creating fractures that limit the Senate’s collective power. But self-preservation should not—and must not—come before the duty to uphold justice. If the Senate allows itself to remain fractured, it will merely become a stage for Duterte’s dominance, rather than an institution of accountability.
Public vigilance and media scrutiny are critical in empowering the Senate to act. It is only through sustained public pressure that the Senate might find the courage to stand up to Duterte’s intimidation. The Filipino people must make it clear that they demand accountability for the thousands of lives lost under the pretext of the drug war. The voices of those wronged must be amplified, ensuring the Senate feels the full weight of the public’s call for justice. A groundswell of public clamor can force even the most calculating senators to prioritize duty over political gain.
If the Senate yields to Duterte’s intimidation, the Philippines faces a grim future where the rule of law becomes truly meaningless. We risk entering an era where laws bend to the whims of men, where the rights of ordinary citizens are trampled, and where democracy is merely an illusion. The Senate has a choice: defend its mandate and hold Duterte accountable or allow Duterte’s unchecked power to erode what remains of democratic governance. The stakes could not be higher—the nation waits to see if the Senate will answer this call.
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