The chaos that transpired in the Senate premises on the night of May 13 is the end-result of a political gambit by 13 senators who thought they could prevent the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by simply constituting themselves into the majority in the 24-member Upper Chamber.
But they committed a grave miscalculation by bringing in Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to the equation.
After all, dela Rosa is a former national police chief who had made himself scarce for the last six months after getting wind of information that a warrant for his arrest had already been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague for crimes against humanity for his direct role in the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs from 2016 to 2019.
By sundown Thursday, former lawmaker and political ally Mike Defensor confirmed that dela Rosa left the Senate premises early Thursday amid tensions following Wednesday night’s shooting incident at the chamber.
But the bigger issue is why the Senate majority would try to coddle someone accused of implementing Rodrigo Duterte’s violent war on drugs and do everything within their power to prevent the former police chief’s arrest and his prosecution and eventual trial by the ICC.
The Senate’s apparent instinct to protect one of its own is deeply disturbing because it undermines the principle that no public official should be above the law.
When senators rush to defend dela Rosa not on the basis of evidence or legal principle, but because of loyalty and political alliance, they risk transforming the Senate from an independent institution into a sanctuary for impunity.
One of the most dangerous consequences of this position is the erosion of public trust in the government.
Ordinary Filipinos are constantly reminded that they must obey the law or face punishment.
Yet when powerful political figures are insulated from legal scrutiny, especially over allegations as grave as crimes against humanity, the perception of double standards becomes unavoidable.
The Senate’s behavior risks normalizing impunity within Philippine law enforcement. During the previous administration’s war on drugs was repeatedly defended as necessary for peace and order.
However, democratic societies are measured not only by their ability to fight crime, but by whether they do so within the bounds of law and respect for human rights.
The Senate is supposed to serve as a check on abuses of executive power and as a forum for sober national reflection.
By appearing more concerned with protecting a colleague than defending accountability mechanisms, senators risk diminishing the moral credibility of the chamber itself.
At its core, the issue is bigger than ‘Bato’ dela Rosa alone.
It is whether the Philippines remains committed to the fundamental democratic principle that accountability applies equally to all citizens, especially those who wield state power.
A democracy cannot endure if institutions meant to uphold justice instead become instruments for shielding the powerful from it.
