A university professor has called for major changes in the Senate leadership, warning that public confidence in the chamber has been severely affected by recent political turmoil ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Polytechnic University of the Philippines professor Louie Montemar urged Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to step down, saying the Senate must repair its credibility before handling a constitutional process of national importance.
“Una, kailangan palitan ang pamunuan dahil wala nang tiwala ang tao kay Alan Peter Cayetano,” he said.
Montemar, a professor of sociology and political science and an officer of Consumer at Mamamayan, said the concern goes beyond partisan politics, noting that questions over the Senate’s leadership could affect how the public views the fairness of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
He said the perception that the current Senate leadership is friendly to Duterte has fueled doubts over whether the proceedings will move forward without delay or obstruction.
Montemar said he had been asked to sign a petition by former University of the Philippines student leaders calling for Cayetano’s resignation as Senate President. He said more than 150 former UP campus and student council leaders had already supported the call.
“At yung halos kalahati ng mga pumirma ay mga dati niyang kapartido mismo sa UP, hindi lang yung mga kagaya ko na kalaban sa politika sa UP,” he said.
“So medyo talagang sana naman mahiya ang ating Senate President at bumaba na siya,” he added.
Montemar also urged the Senate to consider the expulsion of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying the chamber cannot fully restore public trust while one of its members is facing legal controversy and remains part of the body expected to act on the impeachment case.
“Pangalawa, kinakailangang ikonsidera ng Senado na ma-expel o matanggal si Bato dela Rosa sapagkat hanggang siya ay isang senador, kasama siya sa bilang ng mga senador na kailangan mag-proseso ng impeachment,” Montemar said.
He argued that Dela Rosa’s known political ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his connection to the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings over the previous administration’s drug war raise serious concerns over the Senate’s image as an impartial impeachment court.
“Alam naman ng lahat na siya ay isang supporter ng Digong at lalo na ngayon na nakapataw sa kanya ang isang warrant of arrest, basically siya ay isang fugitive,” Montemar said.
“Pugante na siya, wala siyang karapatan na maging senador, dapat tanggalin siya sa Senado,” he added.
The House of Representatives earlier voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. The allegations include issues involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and other officials.
Montemar said the Senate’s credibility is now crucial because it will sit as an impeachment court in a case involving one of the country’s highest officials.
“Well gaya nga ng sinabi ko, napakahalagang kahit papaano makabawi ang Senado sa perception ng mga mamamayan kaya kinakailangan mangyari yung sinabi ko na wala si Alan Cayetano sa liderato at si Bato ay ma-expel,” he said.
He added that the issue also has economic implications, warning that political instability could affect investor confidence, foreign perception, business activity and consumer welfare.
“Ang pulitika ay kapatid ng ekonomiya,” Montemar said.
He warned that unresolved political instability could worsen public anxiety over prices and economic conditions.
“Sa nangyayari ngayon, hindi malayo na ang inflation rate ay lalong lolobo, lalong tataas ang inflation rate. Yung inflation rate, yung paglobo ng mga presyo ng bilihin ay nakakabit sa mga kaguluhan pampulitika,” he said.
Montemar said the Senate leadership change has already created a strong public perception that the move may be connected to efforts to slow down or derail the impeachment trial.
“Sabi nga ng iba, politics is perception, at sa mga nakikita kong lumalabas sa social media at narinig ko sa aking mga networks, karamihan ng mga Pilipino sa totoo lang hindi naniniwala na walang koneksyon sa impeachment ang nangyaring power grab sa Senado o yung kudeta sa Senado,” he said.
“Kahit ano pang sabihin ng mga politiko, nasa isip ng tao ’yan ay ginawa para mapabagal ang pagtakbo ng impeachment proceedings,” he added.
For Montemar, restoring trust in the Senate requires immediate institutional action before the impeachment trial proceeds.
He said the chamber must show the public that it can handle the case with independence, credibility and respect for the constitutional process.