A pre-session moment at the Senate drew reactions from Filipinos when Sen. Lito Lapid was asked to lead the prayer before the opening of the plenary session on Wednesday, August 26.
Clips of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian opening the 13th regular session on Wednesday went viral, with the prayer led by the lawmaker, who is known for his silence during sessions.
It was later revealed that Lapid would “deliver a silent prayer.”
“So, one minute of silent, first,” Gatchalian said.
The moment amused some Filipinos, who noticed that fellow Sen. JV Ejercito could not contain his reaction.
Ejercito was spotted trying to hold back his laughter.
“SP: ‘We shall be led in prayer by Senator Lito ‘Pinuno’ Lapid.’ Ta’s Silent Prayer pala,” an online user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “SP” is short for Senate President.
“Hindi ko alam kung kanino ako matatawa. Kay SP, kay Lapid or kay Sen JV na pigil na pigil ang tawa,” the X user added.
SP: We shall be lead in prayer by Senator Lito “Pinuno” Lapid
Tas Silent Prayer pala.
Hindi ko alam kung kanino ako matatawa. Kay SP, kay Lapid or kay Sen JV na pigil na pigil ang tawa. 😭😂😂😂😂#WinRiSaPlenary pic.twitter.com/2YhEmhUXsO
— Ai🦋💜 (@Yeoh_ShuLien) August 26, 2026
The post was also shared on Reddit.
“Silent prayer ni Sen. Lito Lapid,” a Reddit user wrote in the “r/pinoy” community.
“‘Pag hindi ka handa, idaan na lang sa, let’s take a moment of silence,” a Reddit user quipped.
“A silent prayer is more meaningful than a prayer full of hatred and falsehood,” another commented.
“Pati sa prayer, silent pa rin siya,” a different Pinoy quipped.
Lapid is known for being taciturn during Senate sessions.
He previously broke silence on the 17th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, when his surname appeared on acknowledgment receipts identifying recipients of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President.
Last June, Lapid also lightened the tense mood in the plenary when he jokingly warned fellow senators against speaking out of turn should he take the gavel.
“Kapag ako pumukpok, walang magsasalita kasi committee on silence ako eh,” he quipped.
At that time, senators from the bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano had informed their colleagues they would not attend the scheduled session on June 2 amid a standoff between him and Gatchalian.
In 2011, it was reported that despite Lapid’s silence in the Upper Chamber, he had filed nearly 240 legislative measures, making him one of the most prolific senators at the time.
Lapid was previously active in showbiz, appearing in more than 20 films, including “San Basilio,” “Pedro Tunasan,” “Julian Vaquero,” “Escobar: Walang Sasantuhin” and “Ang Panday.”
He also occasionally appeared in drama series, including “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”
