'Built to break'

Today’s column title can apply to the crumbling leadership and integrity of the Senate, it could apply to the many commercial buildings in Bogo, Cebu that crumbled or crashed during the recent earthquake or the Piggatan bridge in the town of Alcala, Cagayan.

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Built to break could be “by design,” poor choices or simply by mismanagement. Sadly, it is Filipinos who suffer the consequences — directly or indirectly - with lives, lost wealth or progress.

The Senate has gone through three Senate presidents — Zubiri, Escudero and now Sotto. The new Senate Blue Ribbon committee is now destined to have a rotation from Marcoleta to Lacson to I don’t know who. In contrast their multi-billion building remains unfinished.

What nobody is talking about is where did the disruption in the Senate begin. Or who is the “Disruptor?” Listening to the “elected” and “appointed,” it is apparent that President Bongbong Marcos greatly influenced the changes, based on what Sen. Sotto said regarding a conversation with PBBM.

While Malacañang will disavow this to hell, “the testimony of many” (senators) tells us otherwise. In truth, there is no real separation of powers in the Philippines. It is all about the political majority and who is president.

As far as the ruling party or PBBM is concerned, there are only two major political concerns: the impeachment of Sara Duterte and protecting President Marcos Jr. from the stain of theft and shame now spreading like a virus over government.

Those agendas, however, have become so intertwined that the overhaul of the Senate leadership has turned into a political minefield. You can’t touch one raw nerve without triggering the other. Any wrong move or negative perception by the public can become a political career ender.