President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos hosted a dinner for senators and their spouses on Monday at the Bahay ng Pangulo.
In a Facebook post by the First Lady, she shared a photo from the gathering, which included Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero, Cynthia Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, and Robin Padilla.
Several senators under President Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial ticket—Pia Cayetano, Lapid, Tolentino, Revilla, and Imee Marcos—are running for re-election.
However, some senators were absent from the photo. Senator Grace Poe clarified that she attended the dinner but arrived too late for the group picture. Senator Imee Marcos stated her office did not receive an invitation. Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bong Go, and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa have yet to comment on their absence.
The dinner coincided with the Iglesia ni Cristo’s National Rally for Peace held at the Quirino Grandstand, which reportedly drew 1.5 million attendees, according to police estimates. While Iglesia ni Cristo leadership emphasized the rally’s non-political nature, it was seen as a show of support for President Marcos’ position opposing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Under the 1987 Constitution, impeachable officials accused by the House of Representatives face trial in the Senate acting as an impeachment court, highlighting the critical role of senators in such proceedings.