NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Paolo Duterte Slams Senate Leaders Over Sudden Adjournment
Photo credit: PDP Laban
Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte took aim at several senators, including the Tulfo brothers, following the Senate’s decision to adjourn sine die, questioning what he described as a sudden shift from calls for productivity to an abrupt halt in legislative work.
In a strongly worded statement, Duterte said it was both amusing and disappointing to watch senators spend days insisting that they wanted to continue working, hold hearings, and protect the institution, only to end the session once they believed they had secured control.
According to the congressman, the move raises questions about the sincerity of previous claims that urgent legislative work needed to continue. He argued that the situation suggests the real battle was not about governance or public service, but about political influence and control.
Duterte also singled out the Tulfo brothers, criticizing what he described as their public style of politics. He said that while strong rhetoric may attract attention on television and radio, the Senate is not a platform for entertainment or a contest of who can speak the loudest.
“The Senate is not a television program. It is not a ratings game,” Duterte said, stressing that lawmakers should focus on institutional responsibility rather than public spectacle.
He further claimed that some senators who portray themselves as defenders of the institution were among the first to compromise it when given the opportunity to exercise power.
The lawmaker said true leadership is not measured by the number of allies one has, but by the ability to stand by principles even when circumstances are unfavorable.
Duterte ended his statement by challenging his critics, asking whether their real objective was public service or political power, and whether there were issues they were trying to conceal from public scrutiny.
The remarks add to the growing political tensions following recent developments in the Senate, as debates continue over leadership, legislative priorities, and the direction of the chamber moving forward.
In a strongly worded statement, Duterte said it was both amusing and disappointing to watch senators spend days insisting that they wanted to continue working, hold hearings, and protect the institution, only to end the session once they believed they had secured control.
According to the congressman, the move raises questions about the sincerity of previous claims that urgent legislative work needed to continue. He argued that the situation suggests the real battle was not about governance or public service, but about political influence and control.
Duterte also singled out the Tulfo brothers, criticizing what he described as their public style of politics. He said that while strong rhetoric may attract attention on television and radio, the Senate is not a platform for entertainment or a contest of who can speak the loudest.
“The Senate is not a television program. It is not a ratings game,” Duterte said, stressing that lawmakers should focus on institutional responsibility rather than public spectacle.
He further claimed that some senators who portray themselves as defenders of the institution were among the first to compromise it when given the opportunity to exercise power.
The lawmaker said true leadership is not measured by the number of allies one has, but by the ability to stand by principles even when circumstances are unfavorable.
Duterte ended his statement by challenging his critics, asking whether their real objective was public service or political power, and whether there were issues they were trying to conceal from public scrutiny.
The remarks add to the growing political tensions following recent developments in the Senate, as debates continue over leadership, legislative priorities, and the direction of the chamber moving forward.
Jun 4, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
