Philippine President Calls on Senators to End Ongoing Boycott
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos warned Wednesday that the ongoing boycott by senators allied with Vice President Sara Duterte is threatening to derail important legislation, just weeks before her impeachment trial.
Pro‑Duterte lawmakers stopped attending sessions after losing majority control. One senator has been arrested for large‑scale corruption, while another remains in hiding to avoid an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
“The legislature is now in disarray,” Marcos told reporters. “Get back to work because it’s important. We have a lot of work to do.”
The 13 Duterte allies had seized control of the 24‑seat Senate last month, hours before the House voted to impeach the vice president. Now the chamber is deadlocked 11‑11, making it difficult to pass bills unless lawmakers cross party lines.
Marcos noted that his administration needs to pass laws to help Filipinos cope with global economic shocks from the Middle East war. “We cannot do that if the legislature decides to stay at home and have a vacation,” he said.
The vice president’s Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin July 6.
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