For the Senate, the year 2024 saw a dramatic leadership change, a rare appearance of former president Rodrigo Duterte in one of its hearings, and triggering revelations regarding the impact of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in the country.
New Senate Building
When it came to controversies, the Senate always took the liberty of investigating matters in aid of producing new legislation or amending existing ones. But, more often than not, these have been conducted for the public's benefit as a show of transparency and accountability especially when it involves billions worth of taxpayer's money.
As soon as Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero took the helm of Senate presidency, the progress on the construction of the New Senate Building was immediately put into light. Huge figures were tossed out for the public's scrutiny, which stirred conflict among some members of the upper chamber, namely Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who became the new chairperson of the Senate Accounts Committee formerly held by Senator Nancy Binay.
At that time, Escudero mentioned that there was a need to review the NSB after learning that the expenses needed for its construction ballooned to P23 billion during a flag-raising ceremony last June 10. Escudero expressed shock and disbelief at the unexpectedly high projected costs needed to complete the NSB. He noted that these expenses are particularly hard to accept given the economic crisis most Filipinos face.
He noted that the NSB was initially projected to cost only P8.9 billion, and that the cost of the project had ballooned to P13 billion, with an additional P10 billion required for completion. This brought the total to P23 billion.
In several interviews, Binay insisted that the P23-billion figure was false; she and Cayetano would exchange remarks regarding details of NSB's construction that would even go as far as associating past dispute between the cities of Makati and Taguig, which eventually ended up in a heated argument in one particular hearing.
Under Cayetano, the Senate Accounts Committee conducted on July 3 a public hearing to ensure a prompt and impartial review of the NSB. Binay walked out of the hearing, which marked her first meeting with Cayetano since Escudero's disclosure. The tit-for-tat between Binay and Cayetano centered on the total cost to construct the NSB. Cayetano insists that the P23 billion figure came from Binay's staff. Binay pointed out that the total "cost of construction of the building" is being discussed, but Cayetano argued it's the "total cost of the building".
Before Binay left, Cayetano still insisted that the total cost of the NSB is P21.7 billion and it became P23 billion because of the land acquisition yet Binay said that the lot is not under the DPWH.
As of Oct. 11, months after their clash, Cayetano said that the cost of the NSB reached a whopping P33.07 billion with the inclusion of the furniture and land. This detail came out after the project’s Revised Detailed Architectural and Engineering Designs (R-DAEDS) were finalized last month--and only last month. He said this indicates that before he assumed the chairmanship of the Accounts Committee, the NSB had neither a set price nor final engineering and architectural plans.
Without the furniture and land cost, the NSB price tag was pegged at P31.67-billion.
FPRRD shows up in Senate drug war probe
With the end of his administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war against illegal drugs was also a subject of scrutiny and had him showing up in the upper chamber in a room surrounded together with both his allies and toughest critics.
He stood by what he did during his term, stating that he "did what he had to do", highlighting the fact that it was necessary to protect the country and the people. Duterte further said he is taking full legal and moral responsibility for all the successes and failures of his administration’s campaign against anti-illegal drugs.
He testified at the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee's motu proprio investigation on the anti-illegal drugs campaign during his administration. It was his first time to appear before any inquiry into the drug war. The Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee probe was led by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.
For his part, the former chief executive said that he offers no excuse or apology for the policies he implemented as president. But some of his statements, much like in the past, became controversial, especially when he said that he taught police officers to shoot criminals in the head.
Duterte recalled that when he was a prosecutor, teaching at the police academy, he taught them that if a suspect has a gun and they feel like their life is in danger they should shoot the suspect.
"Barilin mo sa ulo, patayin mo, at least one less criminal in the community. Yun ang utos ko when I was a fiscal and I was a professor doon sa police academy (Shoot them in the head, kill them, at least one less criminal in the community. That was what I said when I was a fiscal and professor in the police academy)," he said.
Another was when Duterte called those on his right who were police directors as "death squad commanders". Duterte even specifically singled out Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa who was a Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during Duterte's presidency, stating "death squad din yan (he's also death squad)." Dela Rosa himself said in an interview that Duterte's admissions in the Senate's drug war probe could be used against him.
Pimentel even urged lawyers in and out of the government to analyze Duterte's testimony. He added that Duterte's words will have to be analyzed by lawyer-experts in criminal law as to their overall value as evidence.
It was during his testimony in the Senate when Duterte admitted that while he did not deliberately ask the police to kill suspects, he told them to encourage criminals to fight so they can be killed. He also admitted that he had a death squad, not composed of policemen, but gangsters.
For opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, the Filipino people will never be proud of the implementation of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
This is because, despite the “nanlaban” narrative of suspected drug users and pushers, Hontiveros said the previous government’s campaign against illegal drugs yielded 122 deaths of minors.
Quiboloy's appearance
Even the embattled televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who calls himself the son of god, was not saved from the Senate's inquiry despite his initial refusal to honor invitations from the upper chamber. As early as March, an arrest order was issued against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader.
It was in September when Quiboloy's arrest was announced by then Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, 15 days after police entered the 30-hectare property of his religious group in Davao City.
In the Senate hearing, he took the opportunity to defend himself from the accusations hurled against him under Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, amid allegations he sexually abuse women and minors who are KOJC members and uses religion as a scheme to commit sexual abuses.
“Tinatanggi ko po. Walang katotohanan 'yung kanilang mga sinasabi. Kung di sa akin paningin, ay kabaligtaran (I deny it. There’s no truth to what they are saying. But in my opinion, it’s the opposite),” Quiboloy told the panel during the continuation of the hearing on the human trafficking and sexual abuses he and some leaders of the KOJC committed.
He also denied that the KOJC has a policy of mandating its members, whether adults or minors, to beg or ask for alms in the streets, supposedly to sustain the operations of the KOJC.
Quiboloy also denied imposing a harsh punishment against members of his church. This after several former members of KOJC confirmed they were tortured or subjected to undergo a “dry fast” whenever they ran into trouble with leaders of the sect.
In an interview with reporters after the hearing, Quiboloy called the Senate inquiry a mere trial by publicity though he was given the opportunity by the panel to answer and deny the allegations.
Prior to his appearance in the Senate, Quiboloy filed a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for senator through an authorized representative, lawyer Mark Tolentino.
Tolentino refused to be interviewed by the media but gave a two-minute speech. He says that Quiboloy is running for senator because he wants to be part of the solution in the country.
Regarding Quiboloys' platforms should he get elected, his lawyer said that he will prioritize religious freedom, quality education, and eliminating corruption.
Quiboloy has been charged in the Philippines with qualified human trafficking and child abuse--both non-bailable offenses. In the United States (US), he had been charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
POGO hearings and Alice Guo
Another event that marked the Senate’s performance this year was the explosive revelations surrounding dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo as the Upper Chamber continued its investigation into the illegal and controversial activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operating in the country.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations, was able to uncover the alleged involvement of the mayor, whom senators later uncovered was Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national whom intelligence experts have tagged to be an “agent of influence” by China.
The Senate panel’s hearing captured the public’s attention after Guo and her supposed “sister” Sheila narrated how they “escaped” the Philippines to Indonesia where Guo and several personalities involved in the alleged human trafficking activities, tried to seek shelter. Eventually, authorities were able to close in on Guo and her companions and were eventually arrested and deported back to Manila.
Senators found that not only did Guo possess a fake birth certificate, passport and other documents, her father and siblings were also found to have falsified their records.
After 16 marathon hearings, senators concluded their investigation. Guo is now detained and facing multiple charges in various courts, including allegations of human trafficking, document falsification and involvement in illegal POGO activities.
The Senate’s probe into POGO eventually sparked a flurry of reforms in immigration policies and document verification processes to prevent a perceived “invasion” of foreign nationals who are intent on undermining Philippine sovereignty.
Due to the Senate probe on POGOs, President Marcos ordered a total ban on POGOs by December 2024 which was seen as a decisive attempt to address the national security and social risks associated with the POGO sector.
Improved House, Senate relations
This year also marked an improved relationship between the Senate and House of Representatives.
This started after Escudero took the helm of the Senate presidency from Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri two days before the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress ended last May.
Escudero was able to secure 15 votes to ascend the Senate leadership; and despite persistent rumors of a coup circulating, Escudero remains the Senate president.
The approval of the P6.352-trillion national budget or the General Appropriations Bill for 2025 during the last quarter of the year was a testament to the improved relationship between the House and Senate.