A freshman college student has earned praise for filing an ethics complaint against the senators who failed to attend sessions last week, causing delays in legislative work.
Mark Joseph Duque, a 21-year-old legal management student filed the complaint against Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and other members of his bloc over their absences during the scheduled Senate sessions on June 1 and 2.
These include Senators Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Camille and Mark Villar and Joel Villanueva.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, meanwhile, is in hiding following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, while Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested for his involvement in the flood control scandal.
Duque filed the complaint before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges on June 3.
“Halata naman po na negligence of duty po ‘yung ginagawa nila kasi unang-una po sa lahat, hindi sila nag-convene na dapat ay trabaho ng mga kongresista at mga senador,” the student told reporters.
“Madami po kasi siyang naging epekto sa atin, madaming mga batas na hindi po natin naipasa nang dahil sa ganitong sitwasyon po,” Duque added.
He said that taxpayers’ money was being wasted due to the senators’ absence, citing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian‘s comment that the upper chamber incurs around P25 million daily in expenses for utilities, personnel and operations.
In his complaint, Duque cited violation of Rule XIV, Section 41 of the Senate Rules as well as the Senate’s Code of Ethics.
The student also sought the imposition of appropriate disciplinary measures, including warnings, reprimands, or suspensions.
Duque filed the complaint hours before the Senate reorganization on June 3, which installed Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore, or the acting Senate President.
A post about the development was later shared on a Reddit community, where it garnered 4,200 upvotes, 20 awards and 116 comments.
College Student Files Ethics Complaint vs. Cayetano, Majority Senators Over Session Absences
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u/Mindless_Sundae2526 in
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The student’s initiative was praised by Filipinos in the “r/pinoy” community.
“Nice! Ayos mga kabataan ngayon, mas matapang nang lumaban sa katiwalian!” an online user wrote with clapping emojis.
“Way to go! I wish that all Filipinos would vote more wisely during election,” another Redditor commented.
“Tama ‘yan. Ang mga politiko, dapat pagsilibihan ang taong-bayan. Hindi tayo mga alipin nila. May karapatan tayo ireklamo at ipatanggal sila kung may mali o anomalya,” a different Reddit user wrote.
“Very good. If ganyan ng ganyan mga kabataan, may pag-asa talaga ang bayan,” another Pinoy commented.
“May pag-asa pa ang mga kabataan! Sana dumami pa ang katulad niya na mulat ang mata sa tama at ‘di takot tumindig para sa tama!” a different Reddit user wrote.
Lawyer Carlo Ybanez also shared that Duque had messaged him, saying he was being criticized online for his initiative.
“Ito lang masasabi ko sayo, Mark. Tumayo ka laban sa makapangyarihan. Hindi madali ‘yan. To stand up against someone the powerful takes courage. Most people complain in private. Very few are willing [to] publicly stand for what is right,” the lawyer wrote on Facebook.
“Huwag kang magpatinag sa mga bashers. Maraming mang-aaway sayo. Hayaan mo sila. Stay calm. Stay truthful. Stay focused. Ganyan talaga. ‘Pag pinaglalaban mo ang tama, madaming mga kampon ng kasamaan who will try to pull you down,” he added.
“Pero always believe that the law is on your side and the truth will always prevail. And madami kami dito na saludo sa iyo and who are cheering you on and have your back!” Ybanez said.
The Senate did not hold sessions on the first two days of June after Estrada was arrested on plunder charges.
Members of the Cayetano bloc did not appear in the plenary hall, prompting the suspension of legislative proceedings ahead of a nearly two-month adjournment.
Several measures remained pending due to the Cayetano bloc’s absence, including bills seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to Filipino-American wrestler Matthew James Ramos and San Miguel import Bennie Boatwright III.
Some military officials’ ad interim appointments were also left in limbo and risked expiring.
The plenary session resumed on June 3 after Sen. Chiz Escudero appeared in the plenary hall, enabling the Senate to declare a quorum and fill vacant seats and implement organizational changes, including the reorganization of committee chairmanships.
Gatchalian was also elected Senate President Pro Tempore, making him the chamber’s presiding officer in the absence of Senate President.
Malacañang, the House of Representatives and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines have likewise recognized his leadership role in the Senate.
