Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday condemned the recent shooting incident inside the Senate premises, warning that the violence has deeply damaged the institution’s moral authority and dignity before the public.
During a privilege speech, Hontiveros expressed frustration over the chamber’s apparent return to business as usual following last week’s pursuit and gunfire.
“Has politics completely distorted our standards of how we treat our fellow human beings? The situation stooped so low that here, in and around these same august halls, someone could cock a gun in front of civilians… that has never happened in the Philippines even during times of coups, not even during the darkest days of Martial Law did gunfire erupt within our halls,” she said.
In response, Senator Pia Cayetano delivered an emotional manifestation countering claims that the chamber has ignored the gravity of last week’s shooting incident, revealing that she feared for her life during the gunfire.
Cayetano, who was chosen by the majority as the new Blue Ribbon chairperson vice Sen. Panfilo Lacson, said that while observers might feel nothing has changed, the experience was profoundly traumatic for those present inside the building.
“So much happened. I am not blaming anyone. But after everything… not a single one of you checked on us… It is very painful for me… if you were not here, do not question what happened to those who were here,” she said.
The lawmaker affirmed her readiness to formally share her account and participate in the investigation into the incident.
Hontiveros asserted that the injury to the Senate’s credibility affects all members of the chamber regardless of whether they belong to the political majority or minority.
“For the record, I deeply respect the emotions of our distinguished colleagues. I was not speaking about personal feelings. I was speaking about our institutional posture. Our grief as senators is valid, but our mandate requires action,” she said.
Hontiveros maintained that bringing violence into the legislature transcends partisan disputes and amounts to a direct abuse of public trust that has left employees, media, and security personnel traumatized.
“This is no longer a political disagreement, this is no longer an issue of taking sides. What should trouble us is the manner by which disagreement is being settled, which reflects a broader national discourse that has become more coarse and unforgiving: when aggression is normalized and humiliation is treated as political currency,” said Hontiveros.
She then urged her colleagues to reject threats and baseless accusations as measures of political courage, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in the upper chamber.
“I refuse to believe that we Filipinos are blind followers of any politician. I refuse to believe that there is no compassion, shame, or love for the country left. Because crises, disasters… they do not ask who your political ally is. We are all hit by them, and we all have a responsibility,” she said.
Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, for his part, suggested that the issue be referred to the Committee of the Whole due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding institutional security.
“The chamber itself is affected, the institution is threatened, and there are multiple Senate committees that are going to be involved: public order, justice, and rules,” he said.
