MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla criticized long-serving members of the Senate, accusing them of failing to deliver meaningful improvements for ordinary Filipinos and allowing poverty and economic hardship to persist.

In a report, it said that in a Facebook post, Padilla took aim at lawmakers who have served multiple terms, saying they speak as though they have contributed to national progress.

“Kung makapagsalita ang mga paulit-ulit na nagsisilbi sa Senado at nakailang termino na parang may nagawa na sila para sa ikauunlad ng Pilipinas,” Padilla said.

He added that during their tenure, marginalized sectors allegedly saw little to no improvement in their living conditions.

“Sa panahon niyo, wala naman ding napala ang mahihirap, manggagawa, magsasaka, mangingisda, maglulupa, at iba pang manpower ng kalakal,” he said.

Padilla also claimed that wealth inequality worsened over time, with the rich becoming richer while ordinary Filipinos continue to struggle.

He said many Filipinos remain without homes, burdened by debt, and facing high prices of basic goods and utilities.

“Wala pa ring maipagmamalaki ang karaniwang Pilipino. Karamihan [ay] walang bahay, hirap sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, lubog sa utang, at nangangapa sa mahal ng kuryente, tubig, at pagkain. Lahat iyan nasa mukha niyo dahil sa haba ng naging mga termino niyo,” he said.

The senator also said wage earners have not benefited from long-serving lawmakers, despite repeated discussions on labor issues.

“Ang mga dating senador na sinasabing bihasa sa labor pero nakailang termino hanggang sa nag-retire, walang nangyari sa pagtaas ng suweldo ng manggagawa,” he said.

Padilla further cited the country’s rising national debt, which he said has reached around P18 trillion, and criticized continued borrowing even after the pandemic, while other countries were said to be recovering amid inflation.

“Wag masyadong magaling sa salita, lalo na ang mga matatagal na dyan, dahil wala namang napala sa inyong paulit-ulit na termino kundi pagtaas ng buwis at paglaki ng utang ng bansa,” he said.

“Tumahimik na lang muna kayo at tanggapin n’yo na mga bata kayo ng oligarko,” he added.

He called for the passage of measures on wage increases, equal minimum pay, reinstating the death penalty, scrapping the oil deregulation law, and reducing the cost of basic utilities.

Padilla did not identify the senators he was referring to.

The senator has also faced criticism over a separate Facebook post where he cited possible scenarios he described as “force majeure,” including conflicts in the Middle East and tensions involving China and Taiwan.

“War/gera/digmaan sa Gitnang Silangan na nagreresulta na ng terorismo sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo, ang napipintong pagkadawit ng Pilipinas sa China-Taiwan conflict, hindi po ba ito force majeure?” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has filed an obstruction of justice complaint against Padilla and others before the Department of Justice over the alleged escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Padilla has denied any role in helping dela Rosa evade authorities, saying the senator only asked for a ride out of the Senate building on May 14.

The CIDG earlier said the shooting incident at the Senate and Dela Rosa’s departure from the premises were “related.”