Celebs Are Speaking Up About The Recent Developments In Congress—Including That Viral CCTV Run

What. A. Week. Since Monday, a lot has happened in the Philippine Congress, including Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment in the House, the Senate's leadership change, and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa's—more popularly known as Bato—surprise return in the Senate after being gone for almost seven months. 

Adding to the political tension was the reported attempt of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to arrest the senator following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The incident quickly went viral online after CCTV footage allegedly showing Bato's escape circulated on various social media platforms.

Filipinos have mixed reactions over the string of events that took place. Several celebrities also weighed in on the issue, including Bela Padilla, who shared her thoughts not just as an actress but as a concerned Filipino citizen.

Bela particularly called out what she described as the senator's vexed demeanor during his appearance in the Senate plenary. Videos circulating online also showed Bato raising his voice at reporters who were asking about his whereabouts following his long absence since November 11, as well as his reason for appearing during the crucial Senate session that tackled the leadership change after Vice President Duterte's impeachment in the lower house.

"Who gave that man the right to shout at a woman calmly asking him questions that are valid," the actress wrote on her now-expired Instagram story. 

"Yes, we'd like to know. lkaw na nga nagsabi na sumusweldo ka. So nasaan ka recently? Sumusuweldo ka nang hindi ka pumapasok, okay ba 'yon?" the actress added. 

Bela went on to compare the situation to her own work experience, recalling how she still reported to work immediately after dealing with a health emergency. She questioned why public officials, particularly senators whose decisions impact millions of Filipinos, appear to face little accountability for prolonged absences.

"Is there no citation for being gone for so long? I was in the ER the other day, but I still rushed to work immediately after," Bela shared. 

"And I'm not even important. Aren't senators important? Don't their decisions affect millions of lives? So their wages being high is justified. But if they don't come to work, what happens?" she added. 

Meanwhile, TV host and writer Bianca Gonzalez highlighted the growing clamor for better governance and more efficient public service—sentiments that many Filipino taxpayers continue to express online.

"Ang gusto lang naman ng mga Pilipino ay mapagaan ang buhay, na ang buwis na kinakaltas sa araw-araw at sa sweldo ay maibalik sa paraan ng serbisyong pampubliko," Bianca wrote. 

"Ano bang kailangang mangyari para matupad 'yon, para magkaroon ng sistema't liderato na tunay na para sa tao?" she added. 

Agot Isidro also remained vocal on X (formerly known as Twitter) throughout the controversy. She particularly called out newly appointed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano for referencing Bible verses in his political public statements.

"APC, can you please stop uttering Bible verses kasi sure ako, hindi natutuwa si God sa'yo," she wrote. 

Agot also reacted to the NBI's attempted arrest of Senator Bato after CCTV footage of the incident circulated online. "Just saw the CCTV. We have a runner!!!" she posted.

Meanwhile, Jake Ejercito poked fun at the now-viral footage. He wrote: "Strava reveal naman diyan, sen," referencing the fitness tracking app commonly used by runners to track their personal records.

On the same day, Julie Anne San Jose and Gabbi Garcia also caught netizens' attention after both posted a clown emoji on X, which many online users interpreted as a subtle reaction to the political developments unfolding in Congress.