12/05/2026
On May 11, 2026, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time, with more than the constitutionally required number of lawmakers supporting the Articles of Impeachment. However, just hours before the impeachment moved forward, the Senate underwent a dramatic leadership change as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano replaced Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as Senate President through an internal vote.
Adding to the controversy is the return of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who had largely stayed away from Senate sessions in recent months amid pressure related to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war. Reports indicate that Sen. dela Rosa returned to participate in the vote that installed Sen. Cayetano as Senate President, even as the ICC confirmed an arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to thousands of extrajudicial killings during his tenure as police chief. Video footage and reports further showed attempts by law enforcement authorities to serve the warrant within Senate premises, while some allies moved to shield him from immediate arrest.
In light of these events, The UPLB Genetics Society strongly condemns the continued spectacle of political opportunism, impunity, and power play within the country’s institutions. It is infuriating to witness public officials treat governance as a stage for self-preservation rather than genuine public service, especially when Filipinos are burdened by inflation, rising oil prices, labor exploitation, underfunded social services, and worsening economic insecurity.
THE SENATE IS NOT A CIRCUS, AND THE FILIPINO PEOPLE ARE NOT AN AUDIENCE MEANT TO SILENTLY ENDURE INCOMPETENCE AND POLITICAL THEATRICS.
LAHAT NG SANGKOT, DAPAT MANAGOT!
IMPEACH SARA NOW!
ARREST DELA ROSA NOW!
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