The 11-strong group questioned the motive behind the rush to change the rules concerning virtual participation of lawmakers.
On Tuesday evening, May 26, 10 out of the 11 members of the Senate minority bloc walked out during the evening’s plenary session, where the proposal of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to allow the virtual participation of members of the upper chamber.
Through which, senators may vote and participate in various matters despite not being physically present inside the hall for “any justifiable reason.”
In response, members of the minority bloc objected and raised concerns regarding the plan, which is being defended by the majority bloc.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was the first to urge other members of the minority to leave the plenary session after the majority insisted on dividing the house through voting.
Eventually, he — along with the likes of Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Win Gatchalian, and more — left with only Senate Minority Floor Leader Tito Sotto was left in the plenary hall and filed the motion to adjourn the session due to the lack of quorum, which was approved by the Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who served as the presiding officer.
After the walkout, Senator Francis Pangilinan, another member of the minority bloc, posted on his social media their photos and a joint statement.
“We strongly condemn what appears to be an attempt to rush a major change in the Senate Rules, especially when several members of the minority still wanted to speak and raise serious questions on the floor,” the senators said.
They asked: “Bakit kailangang madaliin? Bakit kailangang pigilan ang mga gustong magsalita? Bakit kailangang i-divide ang house kung marami pang senador ang nagtatanong tungkol sa proseso?“
The bloc questioned whether the proposed measure is being rushed not only because of the standing warrant for the arrest of Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, who is another member of the 13-member majority bloc, but also the reported arrests of other senators due to their implication in other legal cases.
“Minamadali ba ang rule change na ito dahil gusto nilang maka boto si Senator Bato? At ngayong may mga ulat na may mga majority senators na maaaring arestuhin?“
The group then explained, “We walked out because what happened on the floor looked less like orderly deliberation. The proposed rule change affects how senators may attend sessions, participate in proceedings and exercise their mandate through remote means, and such a measure should be opened to healthy public debate instead of being rushed by the tyranny of the majority.“
They also noted that while they have always welcomed healthy discussions on the floor, but it should also mean that all members should be allowed to be heard and not by forcing the chamber to move at the speed preferred by the majority.
“At the time the motion was taken up, there was no duly constituted Committee on Rules and there was not even an elected Majority Leader who could properly guide a rules amendment through the regular process,” the bloc added. “How could there have been any action or discussion before the Committee on Rules when no Committee on Rules has been organized to date?“
“With due respect, the answer that no Senate rule had been violated does not settle the matter, because the rules cannot be treated as a matter of convenience when the very process for amending them is under serious question.”
The Senate minority also said that the debate on the matter, especially with its questionable timing, should be heard by the public openly. “Kaya pinili naming tumayo at iwan ang majority sa plenary. Kaya kami nagdesisyon to question the quorum and call for adjournment.“
“If the proposal is truly defensible, then let it pass through the proper route,” they continued. “We owe it to the people who voted for us to do our mandate. This is why we want more time to discuss this further.”
