MANILA(May 26) — Former NEDA Director General Winnie Monsod has sharply criticized the recent Senate leadership shake-up, warning that political maneuvering inside the chamber is deepening public distrust in government institutions already under intense scrutiny.
“It is really disgusting what the senators are doing,” Monsod said in remarks that quickly circulated online and resonated with many Filipinos frustrated by recurring political conflicts in Manila.
Public attention intensified following the controversial appearance of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa during the Senate leadership battle, where reports and political discussions suggested his presence completed the numbers needed to secure a crucial vote for the new Senate leadership.
For many ordinary Filipinos, the episode reflected a deeper and familiar problem in Philippine politics — elected officials appearing more focused on alliances, numbers, and political survival than on the daily struggles faced by ordinary communities.
The controversy erupted at a particularly sensitive time as the country confronts major national issues, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte-era drug war and political tensions involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Because of this, critics and observers did not see the Senate upheaval as a routine political process. Many viewed it instead as part of a broader political realignment aimed at consolidating influence over institutions expected to uphold accountability and democratic checks and balances.
Monsod warned that the issue goes beyond personalities or Senate positions. At stake, she suggested, is the integrity of institutions themselves.
Political analysts noted that when leaders prioritize tactical political advantage over transparency and public accountability, institutions gradually lose credibility in the eyes of citizens.
For many communities across the country already burdened by inflation, rising food prices, unemployment, and limited social services, the political drama inside the Senate has only widened the disconnect between government leaders and ordinary Filipinos.
Many citizens questioned why national leaders appear consumed by internal power struggles while longstanding issues involving wages, healthcare, education, housing, and livelihood remain unresolved in many parts of the country.
Monsod’s controversial remark — “Patalsikin na lahat sila” — reflected growing public exhaustion with transactional politics and the perception that some institutions are becoming increasingly detached from the people they are supposed to serve.
Analysts warned that repeated political controversies and perceptions of backroom maneuvering risk weakening public confidence not only in the Senate but also in democratic institutions more broadly.
For many Filipinos, the issue is no longer simply about changing political alliances. It is about whether public institutions can still be trusted to act fairly, responsibly, and in the genuine interest of the people.
