Split Decision

Political Transparency

CW: Descriptions of migraine attacks

It's another Friday morning, one of the few times Leni got to sit down with her legislative staff and work on some of the pet bills she's been roaring to get running. With the first four days of the week buried deep in hearings, sessions, and other meetings, she barely found the time to squeeze a meal, let alone sleep.

Among her priority bills for the 20th Congress was the Political Campaign Transparency Bill, a bill legislating policies that would require candidates in any political campaign, from the President down to the barangay level, to disclose their campaign donors in both traditional and online media.

Building from her experiences in the brutal 2022 presidential campaign and her experiences in Angat Buhay, Leni built her 2025 platform on getting back to basics.

Ika na, ung gut issues.

It was an uphill climb to make herself more endearing to the people at large, especially with the vicious attacks against her during the past decade. It required her to do things she would've otherwise not done had she had her way, but at least it shot her up to the top and got her a seat in the Upper Chamber.

At least now that her foot's in the door and the first 20 bills she promised to carry out have been referred to the different committees, the real work begins.

Leila, the new chair of the Electoral Reforms committee where the Political Campaign Transparency Bill has been referred to, created a subcommittee to tackle this bill, with Leni serving as its chair.

Even with Leni in the majority bloc, pushing the bill past the sponsorship period proved an ordeal. A handful of senators, led by Imee, the former Electoral Reforms committee chair, have taken steps to block the bill's passage.

It's like the People Empowerment Bill all over again - Imee or one of her allied senators schedule for interpellation, then end up canceling last minute and asking for a reschedule. The rescheduled date rolls around, and the same thing happens again.

And again, and again.

Kaya pala 24 republics ang tawag nila sa Senado. Kung gusto nila harangin bill mo, haharangin talaga nila.

During the lunch break, Leni went to the lounge to have her lunch when Risa approached her with her plate of food for the first time in a while. "Hi, Ga, tagal na natin hindi nakapag-lunch nang sabay, ah."

Leni smiled at her and offered the spot across her. "Sige, sabay ka sa 'kin. Si Peej, nasaan?"

"Ah, mukhang nag-overrun na naman ung Futures Thinking hearing niya," Risa said. "Late na naman nagsimula, as usual."

Typical Peej. Kung on time nagsimula ng hearing 'yan, magpapamisa ako.

Risa quirked an eyebrow. "Teka, bakit si Peej palagi hinahanap mo? Bakit sarili mong girlfriend hindi mo hinahanap, ha?"

"Hinahanap rin naman kita, ah," Leni answered. "Masama bang hanapin ng isang tao kaibigan niya?"

The Lady from Akbayan crossed her arms and shook her head. "Di naman, pero mas madalas mo pang ka-bonding si Peej kaysa sa akin. Not making an issue out of it, Pangga, but you know, it's enough to give pause."

Leni was taken aback by this sudden bout of jealousy from Risa. Baka stressed lang sa trabaho. Being the Majority Leader is a huge responsibility, after all.

"Ris, ang tagal na namin magkasama ni Peej, ah," Leni said. "Bakit biglang naging problema 'to?"

Risa's stare remained zeroed in on Leni - the kind she would use on erring witnesses during Senate hearings. "You know why."

For the first time in their years together, Leni was actually scared of Risa. Ako? Matatakot sa sarili kong jowa? Bakit?

In a bout of anxiety, she blurted out the first thing that came out of her mind. "Risa, wala kang karapatan isumbat sa akin ung pagkakaibigan namin ni Peej kung palagi kang puyat kasi may ka-chat ka palagi sa London."

Gago, lagot talaga ako nito.

Risa threw her hands at Leni. "Fine, Lens, if that's what you think, bahala ka na sa buhay mo. Do whatever you want; I do whatever you want. I don't care anymore."

With that, she got up and stormed out of the lounge while several senators looked on before they set their sights on Leni.

Leni felt that the lounge seemed to be closing in on her. The little sounds filling the lounge amplified by the second, and the lights suddenly became too bright.

Then, she felt that all-too-familiar pulsing sensation on one side of her head. Wag ngayon. Bakit dito pa?

She left her lunch behind and ran to her office as fast as she could. As soon as she got to her office, she turned off her lights and quickly dialed Aika's number.

After what seemed like forever, Aika answered the phone. "Ma? Anong meron?"

"Aiks, pasundo dito sa Senate. Mina-migraine na naman ako," Leni said, facing away from the glare of her phone screen.

Aika immediately responded. "Sige, Ma, punta ako agad diyan. Bye."

The eldest Robredo daughter dropped from the line.

Leni closed her eyes and took steady breaths to ride the migraine, but not even the strongest medication was enough to take the edge off the pain when they do happen.

Even if she knew this wasn't her fault, she couldn't help but blame herself. Sana hindi ko na lang sinabi yun.