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The NUntium, Sampaloc 1 Bridge, SM City Dasmarinas Complex, Governor's Drive, Dasmariñas (2025)

14/09/2025

| OPINION

Street Power Takes it All

Mass demonstrations against corrupt governments flood streets across the globe as the youth chants “Eat the Rich”. With the wealth gap widening and “nepo-babies” being exposed online, Gen-Z is expressing solidarity with worldwide movements. When people are dying from the direct consequences of corruption, civilians have every right to demand change. The testament is clear: Gen-Z protests should be taken seriously.

Just days after Nepal’s upheaval, Filipino youths gathered in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Malolos, Bulacan against anomalies in flood control projects. ABS-CBN dubbed these protests “Nepal-like”. When Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla was asked if recent youth-led protests could escalate to the level of violence seen in Nepal, he replied, "Ah hindi! Ang mga Pilipino naman hindi ganyan. Even at our worst, hindi tayo nanununog ng [gusali].”

This statement raises a critical question: does the absence of violence diminish the legitimacy of Gen-Z-led protests in the Philippines? Absolutely not. The absence of violence in Filipino protests should not be mistaken for complacency. Just because Filipino youth are not setting buildings ablaze does not mean they are any less outraged by the government.

Secretary Remulla’s statement was met with disbelief online, with some fearing it would “embolden” the youth to take it as a challenge. These comments are implying that pride is the catalyst of activism. They overlook the fact that mere verbal provocation did not drive international Gen-Z to set buildings ablaze. If protests in the Philippines escalate, it will be because of the nation's unaddressed systemic failures, not a secretary’s statement.

Nepalese youths did not riot simply because the government banned social media. It was the result of a turbulent government threatening their freedom of speech. On September 9, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after the Supreme Court and other government buildings were set on fire during protests in Nepal. According to CNN, the protests escalated the day prior, after at least 19 demonstrators were killed in a clash with the police. Over the past 16 years, Nepal had 13 government changes, inducing frustration over long-standing political instability.

Similarly, in Indonesia, ten people died and more than 3,000 people were arrested, while buildings and public facilities were set ablaze. The initial protest was conducted against the housing allowance of 50 Million rupiah to Indonesian legislative members and public dissatisfaction with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. It escalated when footage emerged of a police armoured vehicle running over and killing a 21-year-old delivery worker on August 28. Indonesians in Australia, UK, and other countries echoed the demands of these protesters. These are not acts of random chaos but responses to government actions.

This pattern is global. French demonstrators expressed disagreement against new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu during the “Block Everything” movement, demanding higher taxes for the rich and better access to basic services for the poor. It is similar to the Aragalaya Movement in Sri Lanka in 2022, which was triggered by an economic meltdown, and Bangladesh’s anti-corruption and anti-authoritarian movement led by students in 2024, which resulted in the end of Sheikh Hasina's rule.

Taking all of these protests together, it is clear that Gen-Z have deep-rooted causes for marching in the streets. They are not simply “rage-baited” into organizing. The youth are not misguided for wanting to gather and voice distaste against fascism and incompetence. This wave of anti-corruption mass demonstrations around the globe is not a trend to simply react to. It is history unfolding, as it has always done, because history is a circle and the youth is actively trying to draw the line.

Social media amplifies these movements by broadcasting stories seldom seen on traditional news, such as the women's rights protests in Afghanistan, where basic human rights are denied. While these issues are difficult to discuss amidst local struggles, the necessity of activism rings true. Social media can create an impact when it is used responsibly. After all, it is where most of political discourse arises. Secretary Remulla’s statement triggered frustration of being underestimated, but the real trigger is the lapses in the government.

Reels of protests as ABBA echoes in the background, “The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall,” may seem distant, but what we will do after watching them matters. It is up to the youths of today to decide whether they’d take their digital activism to their community or keep it within the comments section. While some protests have turned violent, the discussions should not focus on the flames, but the frustration that fueled them. It is important to remember that our democracy was built on the backs of Filipinos who assembled and marched in EDSA. The government may go offline, but they could not ignore the power of the streets.

Written by Lazarus
Cartoon by Goyo

11/09/2025

| NEWS

Newly pledged student leaders take oath for AY 2025–2026

September 11, 2025 – Newly elected and accredited student leaders of National University Dasmariñas (NUD) formally took their oath of office for Academic Year 2025–2026 in a ceremony held Wednesday, September 10, at the NUD Function Hall.

The event, organized by the Commission on Student Elections (CSE), recognized academic, non-academic, and independent student organizations accredited by the university.

With the theme “Golden Oath: The Beginning of Noble Leadership,” the program opened with remarks from the CSE Chairman, followed by an inspirational message from the Executive Director Dr. Catherine D. Lagadia, who highlighted the importance of sincerity and shared responsibility in leadership.

“When your heart is filled with a kind of service that is for others, everything else can really go to their proper places. When you serve with your heart, you serve with the understanding that others are good also. So you share that leadership because you know that they are wonderful such as yourself, you know that there are people such as yourself,” Lagadia stated.

Certificates of recognition were presented to the Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) and independent bodies, including The NUntium, Student Commission on Audit (SCOA), CSE, and the Student Government (SG). Organization presidents also delivered one-minute acceptance speeches highlighting their initiatives, achievements, or advocacies.

Among those who took the stage was Donia Miquella Yeoge Castro, President of Dulaang Nationalian, who proudly recalled how their organization grew from just nine members to fifty. She shared how her passion fueled this growth, paving the way for students to step up and walk alongside her in advancing the organization.

Her conviction was evident as she declared, “Meron akong pangarap at passion na nagliyab sa apoy ko. Sinisigaw na kaya kong maging instrumento ng pagbabago.”

This was echoed by SG President John Paul Espejo, who stood out as he urged fellow leaders to lead with passion and to stand for the welfare of all students, especially those unheard and silenced.

“Let it be known: we are not afraid. Let it be known: we will not be silenced. Let it be known: we are the student leaders of NU Dasmariñas, and we will serve until every voice is heard, until every student is uplifted. Because as we dare to lead, we carry this forward—marami tayo, matakot sila. Pero higit sa lahat, magsisilbi tayo, magkaisa tayo, at paaangatin natin ang lahat,” Espejo said, turning his words into a rallying cry for student leaders to stand united in service.

The oath-taking proper was led by Engr. Hersel Danna E. Sangalang, who also closed the ceremony with a reminder for student leaders to uphold the values of accountability and responsibility as Nationalians, and to use the greater power entrusted to them to inspire and give voice to others.

Written by: Alyssa Tibayan
Photos by: Eladane Villanueva and John Tenorio

11/09/2025

| IN PHOTOS

The annual Oath Taking Ceremony was graced by the presence of student leaders and their advisers from various Registered Student Organizations which was held at the Function Hall of National University - Dasmariñas on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Newly elected RSO presidents gave their compelling speeches during the ceremony setting the tone for a fruitful and productive academic year at the institution.

Photos By: Eladane Villanueva and John Tenorio

07/09/2025

| SPORTS

History Maker: Eala breaks through in Guadalajara 125 Open

September 7, 2025 — Rising Pinay Tennis superstar Alex Eala carved another milestone in her young career after capturing her first WTA-level trophy at the 2025 Guadalajara 125 Open, held at the Grandstand Caliente of the Pan American Tennis Center in Zapopan, early Sunday morning (Philippine time).

The composed Eala shrugged off a slow start to outlast Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the final, adding another historic feat for the 20-year-old Filipina.

After dropping the opening set, Eala dug deep in the second, rallying to force a 5-5 deadlock. She then broke Udvardy’s serve for a 6-5 edge before holding firm in a tense exchange of errors to push the match into a deciding set.

Eala raced to a swift 2-0 lead in the third set, a cushion that proved enough to hold off the gritty Udvardy, who mounted a late comeback but fell short.

This win against Udvardy caps a successful week for Eala, after crushing Arianne Hartono in the round-of-32, surviving Varvara Lepchenko in the round-of-16, sweeping Nicole Fossa Huergo in the quarterfinals, and dominating Kayla Day in the semis.

Eala previously clinched a milestone after being the first Filipino to win a singles match at the US Open after a stunning upset over Clara Tauson of Denmark.

The win in Guadalajara is just another addition to the increasing historic feats for this young Filipino ace, as she continues to put her name in the Tennis history books.

Currently ranked No. 75 in the world, Eala is set to continue her campaign at the Sao Paulo Open from September 8 to 14, aiming to build on the momentum of her Guadalajara breakthrough.

Article by: Reiner Abanes
Photo Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

06/09/2025

| SCITECH

SMART DOWNPOUR
UP Climate experts harness AI to predict typhoons

The sound of pounding rain, rivers swelling beyond their banks, and floodwaters rising through neighborhoods, these scenes have become all too familiar across the country during typhoon season. Each year, millions wait anxiously for forecasts, knowing that a few hours of warning can mean a difference between safety and tragedy.

Now, climate experts from the University of the Philippines (UP), Cris Gino Mesias and Gerry Bagtasa, have developed a groundbreaking tool using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model that uses past tropical cyclone tracks to efficiently predict rainfall.

“When we assessed the AI model, its predictive skill was comparable to a dynamic model that we regularly use. The AI model had better skills for extreme rainfall from tropical cyclones,” Bagtasa said.

Every second counts

According to Bagtasa and Mesias, the AI model was trained on decades of typhoon track and rainfall data, which makes it efficient in producing forecasts with accuracy comparable to traditional models.

Unlike conventional systems that take hours to process, Bagtasa emphasized how this model runs on a regular laptop within minutes and could predict extreme rainfall events that can trigger deadly floods and landslides more reliably.

“This AI model, admittedly, is not perfect. But it can add to the suite of rainfall forecast models available to equip our disaster managers with more information on impending hazards,” he said.

In disaster response, speed can mean the difference between life and death, making every second count.

Language of Storms

Behind the model’s predictions lies a deeper understanding of how cyclones behave over Philippine waters and land. Bagtasa highlighted two critical predictors used by the AI: proximity to land and duration of stay.

Slow-moving typhoons, such as Typhoon Ulysses back in 2020, often unleash devastating rainfall as they linger over the same areas. On the other hand, storms that skim the northern tip of Luzon rarely cause widespread flooding.
Technically, the climate experts use a Self-organizing Maps (SOMs) to classify the cyclone tracks, and apply random forest regression to estimate rainfall amounts.

By teaching the AI model the unique language of storms, it becomes a tool that goes beyond predicting numbers, as it also translates data into a narrative of risk, vulnerability, and awareness.

Science to Safety

Bagtasa emphasized that energy efficiency makes this innovation even more remarkable, unlike large-scale AI systems such as ChatGPT or Gemini, which require massive computing power and energy, UP’s model is lightweight and environmentally conscious.

“Some AI models, such as those for weather forecasting, can be useful and more efficient than conventional methods. But there are also some, like large language models, that consume so much more energy, leading to environmental impacts that are harmful to the planet,” he said.

Their study titled “AI-Based Cyclone Rainfall Forecasting in the Philippines Using Machine Learning” was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program and DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research Development.

Being ready turns fear into strength. With this breakthrough, Filipinos gain the foresight to prepare, endure, and always return home after the storm.

Article by: Ashley Pascua
Photo Courtesy: University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science

03/09/2025

| FEATURE

Nepo Babies: Living under the FREEvilege

Glittery shoes, sparkling dresses, glamorous makeup, and a blinding spotlight—it might be the life of a showgirl, or perhaps, the life of these ‘nepo babies’ who have lived like one ever since a public position was glued to their family.

“The life of a showgirl”, an upcoming album from a famous international singer, Taylor Swift, has been gaining attention for its bold, strong, and vibrant concept, while also trying to highlight what's going on behind the curtains. These nepo babies, regardless of gender, have been enjoying the same glam and glitters similar to the concept, but what's going on behind will never be as colorful.

It is indeed a two-sided show: one that shines bright at the expense of another one being dulled—two completely different lives. While these privileged people might just be waiting for another album to drop, there are Filipino people already dropping their lives.

Nepotism has long existed, but this time, not from famous celebrities whom people might be fond of. Rather, it’s from various lines of politicians who have been building a family business in public services and politics—huge enjoyers of political dynasty. Serving a city might go on for years, but surely not for a lifetime that can already suffice for extravagant lifestyles until the fifth generation—something people on the internet have been attacking recently.

The Life of a Showgirl

Even without a strong background of familial wealth from past generations, these nepo babies’ surnames are now listed in various elite schools—lining up with the old rich who have been running businesses for decades. In the blink of an eye, personal stuff has consistently been more than enough, with designer clothes and bags flocking to those huge closets. There would even be no space for boredom, as flights are only one booking away—finances never being a problem.

With their social media platforms being bombarded with criticisms, hopping on a new dance trend still stays as the priority, or better yet, choosing a new inspirational post to repost. Being vocal that they are living their life through their own choices as it is their own; however, the pieces that form it are something that Filipino citizens strongly claim to be theirs.

Behind the Scenes

However, a bright light cannot light up both of its sides at the same time—not without risking the spotlight to flicker.

There are students who lack classrooms, who cannot even afford to have a seat reserved for them alone. Fresh graduates who work overtime just to buy their first-ever pair of branded shoes, unable to fully enjoy their first paychecks as they are seemingly funding bigger aspirations, or worse, those of other people. Employees who juggle two jobs not out of boredom, but out of the urge to survive, are even unable to afford visiting family just in another city.

Rolling

It has only been days since these nepo babies’ lifestyles have been exposed on various social media platforms, which is a complete opposite of what Filipino citizens have been going through for years.

The lavish and glammed-up lives of these nepo babies have shone a light that now hurts the eyes of the people. It’s a light that doesn’t shed hope, but rather a blinding one with gems that only uplift the owner—never the people who created it. As the light continues to grow bigger, the shadow follows. The silhouette of the Filipino people, who receive the biggest blows, is getting sucked into the flood while the former drown in privileges.

Indeed, it takes a village to raise a child; it even took a whole country to raise these children—yet the parents never took that one huge responsibility to step up a city. Just as every tax contributed to this loud lifestyle, may every voice also echo in the walls of the houses built out of corruption, shame, and greed.

By Leila Pauline Tan
Photo Courtesy: Philippine Star, PEP.ph, GMA Entertainment, GMA Network

01/09/2025

| WALANG PASOK

Following government announcement, face-to-face classes are suspended today, September 1, 2025, Monday, shifting to remote synchronous learning.

All examinations originally scheduled for today, Monday, September 1, 2025, have been moved to Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, NU Dasmariñas will remain open for in-campus transactions.

Stay safe, Nationalians!

31/08/2025

| LITERARY

KUNG PAANO INILUWAL ANG REBOLUSYON

Nang silaban ang apoy; nangamatay ang mga poong—inilagay sa sariling mga kamay ang pananampalataya ng sangkatauhan. Sinunog ang kanilang kaluluwa. Nasilaw sila sa liwanag na tangan-tangan ng mga ulupong na nagmamartsa sa lansangan. Isinisigaw nila ang mga katha habang katawa'y nalulusaw;

"Magkaroon ng LIWANAG!"

Pinuksa, nilupig at ginapi ang mga garapal na naglipana sa lipunang nililipon ang mga hipokrito na nagpapanggap punan ang ideya ng katipunan at kalayaan. Hinati sa dalawa ang tatsulok. Ang mga nasa itaas na nakalalalasap ng langit at ang mga nasa laylayan na namumuhay sa araw-araw nilang impyerno. Hinati ang pighati sa dalawa; ang pagkabuwál ng pisikal na katawan sa umaga at ang pagkalam ng sikmura sa pagkagat ng dilim.

Nagkaroon ng pagitan kaya't mas lumawak at lumakas ang sigwaan at sigawan!

Sa ikatlong araw, mararamdaman mo na ang kalam ng sikmurang gutom sa kapangyarihan. Ang mga uring mapagmataas ay nauuhaw sa upuang imahen ng pedestal— habang ang karamihan ay nangangamatay na sa gutom at uhaw dala ng kawalan ng kakayahan para itaguyod pa ang walang kahulugang buhay.

"SUMINGHOT KA!" Sigaw ng mga kabataang nagsisipagtawanan sa bangketa habang lumilipad sa alapaap ang ilusyon na kapwa nilang inaabot ang mga pangarap. Halamang natural at lokal naging kasangga para tumakas sa koral. Sumisigaw ang kalsada;

"Nakakabaliw, mga baliw!"

Kung paano nilikha ng diyos ang mga baboy, at ang mga BABOY; ay iisa lang ang diwa. Sila ay mga hayop. Ganun din ang mga tuta na walang ngalan— nakatali sa katauhan ng kanilang mga amo. Sunod-sunuran. Nakatago sa likod ng mga makukulay na karatula:

“欢迎来到菲律宾”

Sa pagsapit ng ikalimang araw, mas umiingay ang kalsada. Nagmimistula itong kumunoy o isang bulkan na naghihintay kung kailan ito puputok sa galit. Habang naghihintay sa nalalapit na dulo, nagulantang ang mga bagong silang ng buwaya sa katubigan. NAYAYANIG SILA.

Nang dumating na ang oras; sumibol na sa puso ng mga TAO ang diwa ng pakikipaglaban. Isinasawika ang mga hiyaw.

ITAAS ANG SAHOD! IBABA ANG PRESYO! KARAPATANG PANTAO, ISULONG! EDUKASYON PARA SA LAHAT! MAGSASAKA AT URING MANGGAGAWA, BIGYANG PRAYORIDAD.

At sa huling martsa sa lansangan, hindi nagpapahinga ang rebolusyon. HINDI ito isinilang para manahimik at kumawalang-imik. ISINILANG ang REBOLUSYON kakabit ng WIKA.

Ito ang ating pagkakakilanlan. Ito ang buhay na patotoo kung bakit tayo naririto.

Sapagkat; walangsinumanangnabubuhayparasasarililamang.

Sa panulat ni Liway
Sa larawan ni Goyo

30/08/2025

| LITERARY

Sa Tangkang Pagpapatahimik

Akala nila
mapapatahimik nila ako
kung al'sin sa'king kamay
ang tangan kong mikropono
at pluma sa daliri

Gayong hindi makukulong ang ingay
ng nagsusumigaw na damdamin
ng nakakuyom na kamay
—nakasalalay sa papel sa mesa
at nakaub-ob sa kaliwang dibdib.

Sa panulat ni Alibugha
Sa larawan ni Zea Macapili

29/08/2025

| EDITORIAL

When corruption and its beasts board the ark

The recent surge of heavy rainfall brought forth by a number of typhoons, backed by Habagat’s unforgiving gust, has laid its annual curse on the Philippine archipelago, having a huge portion of Luzon as the main heir of this blessing. Once again, the already doomed nation has been put to its test—devastating and crippling region-wide flooding that might be due to one or all of these causes: uncontainable amounts of rainfall, overflow in the drainage systems, or corruption.

The Philippine government does not lay oversight on the needed programs to alleviate flood control in terms of attention and funding. Over the last three years, at least 545 Billion Pesos have been allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to create infrastructure and implement projects for the mitigation of the multiple-decade-long muddle of flooding. A half-a-trillion-peso budget would have done the job, and yet three years later, the sound of pouring raindrops crashing down a metal roof still makes hearts pound faster.

Taking the floodwaters as unfortunate grace in disguise, the aftermath, at least, signalled for the need of thorough inquest on some of the most pestered flood-prone communities including those in Central and Southern Luzon. Surveys initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that most of the flood-control projects listed as “accomplished” in DPWH reports are either poorly executed or nonexistent. Majority of these schemes were funneled to only 15 contractors, some of which even held positions in the government exposing them to a possible conflict-of-interest—or to a tempting dilemma.

Evidently, this arrangement only involves agreements between very few people; perhaps fewer than what we think. A handful set apart to play around the ins-and-outs of this confidential network, in a system they would never dare to let us see; where transactions were not made under the tables, but under the countless other tables under them.

It is almost as if corruption is a sickening constant that we can never buy out from our nation’s being. Cancer. Worse, it comes in forms we never expect them to be. It can be a 77 Million-peso flood control d**e in Calumpit, Bulacan built with substandard materials; or a 24 Million-peso d**e in Capas, Tarlac collapsing during a storm in plain sight just years after its construction; or probably overpriced reflector lights on major roads that were expected to wear out just weeks after installation. All these, tax-payers’ money, religiously cut from the wages of the working class in regular intervals, in droplets of hope that it will make something better, very wisely spent for no good.

Such decomposing systems might have fueled Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to form Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), a collective of local government executives all over the country to live up to the name of the organization. Currently, among the thousands of component mayors in the Philippines, only around 200 lay active participation in the group. It is a blameless, noble initiative on the surface, but at its core lies an interesting paradox: aren’t all municipal and city mayors elected in the name of good governance, or at least in the hope of it? The coalition’s conception forces us to swallow a terrible truth: genuine public service is a rarity; corruption is a culture.

It is neither a phenomenon, nor a newly discovered way-out to garner self-interest. It is a way of life so heartfully passed down from generation to generation; a lifestyle that breeds oligopoly and nepotism, strengthening the system that solely feeds the powerful few and widening the margin between the working class and the handful collective lingering around the seats of influence and authority. The president, an heir of corruption and nepotism himself, along with the DPWH and all the conspirators to this muddy mess—whose breed were all grafted from the same tree—have to make sense of all this waste.

We, the people, have done our part in sustaining the nation and we are not the ones to drown in all this plight. More so, unless we shatter the belief that only a chosen few—the people in power, their families, and all the accomplices and beneficiaries of their avarice—get to board the ark along with pairs of beasts of all kinds, we will not live through the flood. We have paid our due, and they owe us a space where we need not wait for a dove with an olive leaf in its beak to know that we are safe.

Cartoon By Gerald Miranda Aquino

28/08/2025

| OPINION

Stench of legislative decay

The Philippine legislature has drifted from a chamber of reason to a stage of spectacle which erodes both its integrity and its purpose. This reality came into sharper focus in the recent weeks when reports arose about a senate probe into alleged ma*****na use by a staff in Senator Robin Padilla’s office, news coverage about his renewed push to lower the age of criminal liability, and a documentation about AGAP Partylist Representative Nicanor Briones casually streaming an e-sabong match during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). These are not just isolated embarrassments as they actually form a disturbing pattern of misconduct and incompetence that chips away at public trust. Unless this culture gets confronted head on, the very institution that was meant to safeguard democracy will just keep losing the credibility it desperately needs to function.

But this legislative downfall didn't happen overnight. Over the years, the legislature that was once envisioned as a co-equal branch of government has slowly normalized disorderliness and informality. And the weight of such downfall was further unveiled when ABS-CBN covered the investigation of the Office of the Sergeant at arms of the Senate into the alleged drug use involving a staff from Senator Robin Padilla’s office which in itself, already signals a crisis of integrity within the very halls of the Senate. And to make matters worse, GMA Network has even covered Padilla’s heated yet ultimately hollow debate with Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan over juvenile age group sanctions which was clearly a pointless discourse that exposed a disturbing lack of serious policy work. If that’s not enough, the Philippine Daily Inquirer even noted how the House of Representatives panel has to address AGAP Partylist Representative Nicanor Briones being caught casually watching an e-sabong match during session.

With these taken together, these events reveal even more misguided individuals slipping up since these are an indication that even the watchdogs of the legislature itself recognize the slippery standard decline. And as for us ordinary citizens, we must understand that this trajectory is critical to grasping the depth of today’s institutional decay and why meaningful reforms can no longer be delayed.

What makes this decay even more alarming is how the incompetence and casual disregard for responsibility have become a spiral routine because instead of focusing on substantive policy reforms and oversight, the congress is frequently mired in distractions whether it’s the House of Representatives’ ethical disobedience or the policy on the Juvenile Justice recently. And these result in predictable outcomes such as essential legislation delays, diluted debates, and worse, Filipinos growing increasingly cynical. Should this trajectory continue, our democratic processes just risk becoming little more than hollow performances.

We can also already identify the first casualty of this legislative dysfunction which is the existing quality of the laws themselves. If we are going to delve deeper in our law’s provisions and systems, we can see how poorly researched and hastily drafted our bills are in finding their way to the floor, exposing the absence of preparation and rigor that should define lawmaking. This was evident when Senator Robin Padilla’s juvenile justice bill faced immediate backlash for its lack of data and policy grounding. This kind of legislative carelessness doesn’t just waste our taxpayers’ money as it actually sets a dangerous precedent where theatrics rather than competence are rewarded. If we truly want to reverse this decaying trend, we have to demand our lawmakers to embrace higher standards of preparation and accountability.

Of course, we acknowledge that the strong defenders of the current legislative system often dismiss these controversies as mere “noises” and keep insisting that laws are still undergoing a systemic process before being passed while implementing their so-called “quality projects” in their standards simultaneously. But then again, institutional responses tell another story just like the embroilment of AGAP Partylist Representative Nicanor Briones in the e-sabong controversy that cost him his seat in the Commission on Appointments (CA) while the Senate’s investigation into Padilla’s office was moving forward. When we look at these developments deeper, these phenomena show that procedural integrity matters because a flawed process breeds flawed outcomes and while results may exist, they usually come at the expense of public trust. In this context, a currency that was once lost is nearly impossible to regain.

All these threads of political and policy ignorance, ethical standards, legislative theatrics tie back to one uncomfortable truth: THE DEATH OF LEGISLATIVE SERIOUSNESS. And as Congressman Briones, who was entangled in the e-sabong scandal eventually admitted to watching the video, in turn faced sanctions which stripped him of a key appointment post. Such consequences somehow serve as a reminder that the public still expects its leaders to do better even when disappointment has become the norm. It is why rebuilding professionalism is no longer a polite suggestion but an urgent necessity if our legislative branch truly wants our people to restore its faith in Philippine governance.

Above everything, the integrity of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives reflects the integrity of our democracy. In fact, the tools for reform are already in place. Unfortunately, Ethical committees to internal audits and codes of conduct are present but are often left neglected or inconsistently applied. More importantly, more than acknowledgement, we need genuine commitment. These moments call for collective action with voters demanding competence, civil society enforcing not just ethical but also intellectual standards, and our media relentlessly shedding light on our servants’ misconduct, all working together to help our legislative branch to become what it was and has always meant to be, a true sanctuary of reason and reform.

Written by: Fionah de la Vega
Cartoon by: Bea Elesterio

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