By Monsi A. Serrano
I am appalled by Senators who have the temerity to invoke God’s name and the Holy Scriptures, yet shamelessly engage in corruption and enable injustice, lies, and deceit. To borrow the favorite rhetorical question of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III: Saan kayo kumukuha ng kapal ng mukha?
We have senators who lie through their teeth while quoting Bible verses to appear righteous, masking their insatiable greed and immoral, godless lives. As the Scriptures say: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
It’s clear that many of these lawmakers are working to thwart the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, who stands accused of betraying public trust. The charges stem from her questionable use of confidential and intelligence funds under both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. Sara has yet to fully explain how ₱125 million in confidential funds was spent in just 11 days—a revelation that rightly raised alarm bells among legislators.
Worse, during a House committee hearing, Sara responded not with transparency but with belligerence, treating public funds as though they were her own. This attitude of entitlement and impunity led the House of Representatives to approve articles of impeachment on February 5, 2025, with 215 members signing the resolution. Speaker Martin Romualdez ordered the transmission of the articles to the Senate, where, under the Constitution, the Senate is mandated to act forthwith—immediately.
Yet Senate President Chiz Escudero chose to sit on it, insisting “forthwith” doesn’t necessarily mean “immediately,” despite constitutional framers—including a former Supreme Court justice—affirming otherwise. Why is Mr. Heart Evangelista behaving this way? Known for being a pa-bibo, condescending, and ever eager to flaunt his intellect, Escudero now appears spineless when integrity is most needed.
Now, allow me to address the Pharisees of the Philippine Senate—those who publicly brandish their Christianity.
We have Senator Joel Villanueva, son of a preacher who once claimed God told him to run for president—twice—and lost both times. If it was indeed God who spoke to him, why such miserable defeats? Perhaps it was Beelzebub whispering in his ear.
Then there’s Alan Peter Cayetano, whose X handle is “GodBlessThePhilippines.” Cringe. His sister, another self-righteous figure, styles herself as an advocate for women’s rights, yet never spoke against Duterte’s misogynistic tirades, especially against female journalists. The late Senator Rene Cayetano must be rolling in his grave.
If the QUIETano siblings truly wanted to honor their father’s legacy, why have they remained silent on his crusade—together with Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.—against the illegal collection of parking fees by mall owners?
Christian senators should reflect on the axiom Vox populi, vox Dei—the voice of the people is the voice of God. The public has a right to know whether Sara Duterte is guilty of betraying public trust.
Let’s also disregard Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s laughable claim that he was “guided by the Holy Spirit” in dismissing the impeachment resolution against Duterte’s daughter. These so-called Christians use scripture and the Holy Spirit not in reverence, but in vain—for personal gain.
Unless they understand both the legal and moral duties they swore to uphold, their actions will remain self-serving. If they lack the courage to fight for truth and justice, how dare they call themselves Christians?
So let us ask Senators Villanueva, the Cayetano siblings, and Bato dela Rosa: Would Christ be pleased with what you are doing?
In De Imitatione Christi by Thomas à Kempis, the call to imitate Christ is not about performance but inner transformation. These senators, obsessed with public show and political theater, are anything but Christ-like.
With the Senate dithering on whether to proceed with Sara’s impeachment—despite the clear constitutional mandate—we must ask: What would Jesus do? Did He not say, “Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and to God what is due to God”? Perhaps this is what our sanctimonious senators should do—forthwith.
If De Imitatione Christi is too lofty a guide, Aristotle offers a simpler one: Imitate the virtuous people in your life. Ask yourselves: what would your parents or grandparents do in your place?
Aristotle also reminds us to seek the golden mean between excess and deficiency. So if you’re tempted to show “compassion” to Sara by shielding her from accountability, ask: what message does this send to young Filipinos who still believe in public service? How much more suffering will your cowardice inflict on those deprived of resources misused for vanity and power?
Let me end with the wisdom of St. Augustine: “If we want the world to be a better place, we have to begin with ourselves. We have to begin with our own lives, our own hearts.” Only then can we truly become beacons of hope.
Indeed, there is no need to blow our trumpets to proclaim our faith. Verba movent, exempla trahunt—words persuade, but actions compel. Need I say more?
