QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau ) -Showtime marked Congress’ 2024 budget deliberations yesterday when Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel found himself silenced while making known his objections to the speedy passing of the measure. It turns out Manuel was trying to sing “Bayan Ko” as part of his protest.

As he bravely crooned the protest anthem, Speaker Martin Romualdez justified the microphone muting, citing a most unusual cause – off-key singing. 

Apparently, Manuel’s vocal stylings hit such dissonant chords that even the most enthusiastic supporters of democracy couldn’t endure the auditory assault. It seems the House believes in harmony but not when it comes to budget discord. 

Aspiring pop stars beware: Congress isn’t the place to audition for the next “Voice” season!