Where Have All the Brilliant Senators Gone?

By Herman M. Lagon

The Philippine Senate used to be the nation’s intellectual heart, full of brilliant statespersons and brave lawmakers who shaped the laws with knowledge and integrity. Lorenzo Tañada, Jose Diokno, Jovito Salonga, Joker Arroyo, Raul Roco, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago were not just senators but also national leaders, freedom warriors, and democracy defenders. The new SWS Senatorial survey begs the question: where are their successors?

The leading candidates are well-known, but not for their legislation. TV stars, populists, and social media influencers top the list, while reformists like Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino struggle to be in the top 12. Meanwhile, talented but unknown contenders like Heidi Mendoza, Luke Espiritu, and Sonny Matula go unnoticed. Have we abandoned competence for popularity?

Former Senate leaders were courageous and transformational. Lorenzo Tañada, the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Politics,” championed human rights and nationalism against Marcos Sr. Jose Diokno, the country’s most brilliant no-fear justice advocate, founded FLAG to protect political captives. Jovito Salonga demolished Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth and advocated anti-corruption. Fiscally responsible Joker Arroyo refused pork barrel for his office during his tenure. Small-town doctor-turned-senator Juan Flavier led Doctors to the Barrios health reforms. A pioneering female senator, Eva Kalaw, promoted women’s rights and grassroots empowerment.

Later senators carried their intellectual and moral legacy. Raul Roco improved education, renovated Bangko Sentral, and promoted gender equality. The “Iron Lady of Asia,” Ilongga Miriam Defensor-Santiago, was a constitutional law specialist, international judge, and the greatest orator in Senate history. Franklin Drilon quietly reformed the economy and judiciary. Teofisto Guingona Jr. and Nene Pimentel championed democracy against authoritarianism, while Leila de Lima became a global icon of political persecution for opposing impunity. In an increasingly populist Senate, Risa Hontiveros is a lone progressive voice for health care, human rights, and good government.

Despite their successes, intellectual, policy-driven leaders are losing ground. The 2025 Senate race shows how entertainment-driven politics has replaced credentials and legislative records with name recall and TV ratings. Unsurprisingly, Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino lead university surveys but trail national polls. Youth and educated voters still value track records, but they are outnumbered by an electorate swayed more by political theatrics than substantive debate.

Some who can question the status quo are overlooked. Former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza devoted her career to fighting corruption and promoting fiscal openness, but she hardly gets a vote. Labor lawyer Luke Espiritu supports the working class but falls short of public recognition. The veteran trade unionist Sonny Matula battles for labor rights, but the media rarely covers him.

The lack of critical Senate opposition threatens democracy, not just politics. Senators should check and balance the executive branch, not rubber stamp it. Previous senators who stood firm against political persecution, such as Tañada and Diokno against Marcos, Joker Arroyo and Jovy Salonga against corruption, and Santiago and Hontiveros against populist demagoguery, were our greatest. Unfortunately, without a strong opposition, the Senate becomes a puppet show that passes laws without debate and compromises national interests for partisan gain.

Pinoy voters will decide in 2025 if they value competent leadership. Will senators who understand governance, fiscal policy, human rights, and national security be elected? Do we keep voting for entertainment or mediocre at best? The fight is not just about securing Senate seats; it is about reclaiming the institution’s legislative dignity, especially as the next batch of senators will likely serve as judges in an impeachment court. To have a government that serves the people, we must demand more from our senators than name recognition and snappy slogans.

Voters in the past chose real statespersons over empty celebrities, valuing principle over popularity. The choice is now ours—will we elect true-blue public servants or showbiz and traditional politicians? Our nation’s future hinges on that decision.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ‘student of and for life’ who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.