Malacañang on Monday said political infighting and repeated changes in Senate leadership slowed the passage of the Marcos administration’s priority measures.

The Palace made the statement after Senator Imee Marcos described the upper chamber’s performance over the past year as “palpak” (failure) when it passed only two of the government’s 53 priority bills.

Speaking at a Palace press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Senate’s legislative output was affected by leadership upheavals and prolonged political disputes.

She noted that after the leadership changes, the Senate was beset by internal conflict, including a three-day boycott of session days before the sine die adjournment.

“Sino po ba ang nag-umpisa ng pagbabago ng liderato (Who started the change in leadership?),” Castro said.

“Noong nagkaroon po ng pagbabago ng liderato, nandoon na po iyong nagkaroon ng putukan ng Senado, nagkaroon na po ng gulo sa Senado, nagkaroon ng tatlong araw na sunod-sunod na hindi pagpunta at pag-attend sa sesyon (When the leadership changed, there was already conflict in the Senate, there was disorder, and there were three straight days when some senators did not attend the session),” she added.

Castro said the episode should serve as a reminder to public officials to prioritize the people’s welfare over political interests.

“Magsilbing aral sana ito sa lahat ng mga public servants na hindi puwedeng daanin sa ganitong klase ang pamumuno at ang dapat na laging manguna ay ang interes ng bayan, hindi ang sariling interes, hindi ang interes para lagi lang mamuno, kung hindi dapat ay para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino (Let this serve as a lesson to all public servants that leadership should not be exercised in this manner. The national interest — not personal interests or the desire to remain in power — must always come first, for the good of every Filipino),” Castro said.

Before Congress adjourned in June, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano led a bloc that boycotted three consecutive session days to protest the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges, delaying action on several administration-backed measures. (PNA)