A CHEAP SHOT
Sen. Marcoleta’s attack on Sen. Risa Hontiveros that she did not know the rules because she is not a lawyer is a cheap shot, an argument from arrogance and credentialism at its worst.
One need not be a lawyer to recognize a legal issue. One need not be a doctor to recognize when a person has fever. And one need not be an engineer to recognize a bridge collapsing.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros may not be a lawyer but dismissing her argument on that basis is an attack on her credentials, not a defense of substance.
In public debate, the question is not who speaks. The question is whether what is being said is true.
If Senator Marcoleta disagreed with Senator Hontiveros, then he should answer her arguments, not her profession.
In the end, the irony was impossible to miss. Sen. Marcoleta was defeated by Sen. Sotto, a non-lawyer but knew the rules better.
That is the problem with credentialism. It confuses titles for wisdom and professions for truth.
CAYETANO VS. CAYETANO ON ‘FORTHWITH’
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano appears to contradict his own interpretation of the word “forthwith” in relation to the Senate convening as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a Senate plenary session in June 2025, Cayetano argued that “forthwith” does not necessarily mean “immediate” or “agad-agad.” However, in a later interview with BNC anchor Korina Sanchez-Roxas, the newly installed Senate president said that “forthwith” does mean “agad-agad,” contradicting his earlier position.
STATEMENT OF MAYOR JOY BELMONTE
I urge Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for the inappropriate remarks that he made at a recent House committee hearing.
His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment that we have worked hard to build here in Quezon City. Over the years, we have embraced the difficult work of establishing protections for women, constantly striving to honor their rights by creating safe spaces and opportunities for them.
In this context, it is truly disappointing to witness Congressman Suntay’s casual display of objectification, on Women’s Month no less. But what makes this incident especially troubling is the fact that, as a former member of our City Council, he was part of the body that passed our Gender and Development Code.
Moreover, he was the majority floor leader of the city council when we passed the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, which declares that lewd, malicious, and demeaning remarks and acts have no place in public life. Quezon City instituted this policy in 2016—ahead of the national Safe Spaces Act.
Our policies are a declaration of our city’s values—of what we stand for and what we refuse to tolerate. We expect our elected officials to be the first to live by them.
Thus, it is clear to me: We must not hesitate to push back against any act that undermines the dignity of our women. We must continue to stand for their safety, dignity, and equality—without exception and without compromise.
We call on Congressman Suntay to take full accountability for his remarks, issue a proper apology, and conduct himself with the dignity that his office—and our city—demand. Our people deserve no less.