MANILA, Philippines — Political analyst Malou Tiquia has sharply criticized Senate President Vicente Sotto III for downplaying rumors of power-sharing in the Senate, calling his remarks troubling and dismissive of the institution’s gravity. The issue surfaced after a Facebook post by Senator Kiko Pangilinan, captioned “powersharing” and featuring a photo of a group that included Senator Loren Legarda, fueled speculation of an internal leadership arrangement within the chamber.

Sotto was quick to dismiss the controversy, saying the post was merely a joke and that there was no agreement, plan, or discussion on power-sharing in the Senate. According to him, Pangilinan’s post was “katuwaan lang,” loosely interpreted as a lighthearted reference to the majority bloc rather than a serious political maneuver. He also denied any truth to reports of a failed coup attempt against his leadership.

However, Tiquia was far from amused. In a strongly worded social media post, she stressed that the Senate is not a place for jokes when it comes to leadership and institutional integrity. “Ang Senado ay di ‘katuwaan’ lang. Senador kayo di comedian!” she wrote, warning that external interference and internal intrigues within the Senate are both alarming and disheartening. She went further by claiming that the situation in the 20th Congress appears even more problematic than in the 19th.

At the heart of this discourse is a deeper concern about public trust. In a country where political institutions are already viewed with skepticism, casual language used by top leaders can unintentionally reinforce perceptions of instability or backroom politics. While humor and camaraderie are not alien to politics, critics argue that issues involving leadership succession, power-sharing, and alleged coup attempts demand clarity and seriousness.

Tiquia’s reaction reflects a broader sentiment among political observers: that the Senate, as a pillar of democracy, must project transparency and credibility at all times. What may be brushed off as a joke by those inside the institution can be interpreted by the public as a sign of disorder or lack of accountability. In an era where every statement is amplified and scrutinized, can political leaders afford to dismiss sensitive governance issues as mere “katuwaan”—or does such language risk further eroding confidence in the Senate as a serious and independent institution? (Larawan mula sa: Malou Tiquia, Vincente Tito Sotto / Facebook)