Metro Manila, Philippines – Minority senators walked out of the plenary session on Tuesday evening, May 26, in protest of what they described as the railroading of an amendment to the rules to allow senators to participate remotely in plenary sessions.
”Let’s go, let’s go,” Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was heard urging allies as they exited the Senate session hall while Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano was still speaking on the floor.
The tension escalated when Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned the majority’s urgency in tackling and voting on the controversial motion.
“Is it because, Madam Chair, they’re in a hurry because of news reports that probably two of our colleagues might land in jail this weekend?” Tulfo said.
He added: “Is that the reason why they have to have this inserted, this Section 41C, para makaboto po kung sino man ‘yung makukulong dahil sa announcement ng ombudsman na may ilalabas na po ang warrant sa ilan sa mga kasamahan natin? […so that whoever would land in jail would still be able to vote because of the announcement of the ombudsman that there would be a warrant that will be released for some of our colleagues]”
Earlier in the day, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that plunder charges would be filed against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva in connection with the flood control corruption scandal. Both denied any involvement.
Cayetano said Tulfo’s remarks were out of order and moved to divide the House. By then, however, minority senators had already walked out, leaving only Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on the floor.
Sotto moved to adjourn the session. Despite objections from Senator Rodante Marcoleta, the presiding officer, Senator Loren Legarda, ruled that the motion to adjourn and conduct a quorum call would take precedence, leading to the suspension of session until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1. The controversial motion was left unresolved.
”We’re walking out. This is a travesty of our rules,” Zubiri told reporters as he left the session hall.
“Teleconference, ginagawa lang iyan pag may pandemya,” Senator Win Gatchalian said.
Asked if the majority could still act on the motion, Senator Risa Hontiveros said, “Wala silang quorum, subukan nila.”
Marcoleta motion
Marcoleta’s motion, first raised on May 11, seeks to amend the Senate rules to “allow a senator for justifiable reasons to attend and participate in the session through teleconference, video conference, or other reliable forms of remote or electronic means using appropriate information and communication technology.”
Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson objected, arguing the proposal should be handled by the committee on rules, which has not yet been constituted. He also questioned the authority of the acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva to solely decide to take it up directly in plenary.
“Ano ito? Binabraso?” Sotto remarked.
[Translation: What is this? Arm-twisting?]
“Why are we railroading this process,…. Is this rule for Senator Bato who is not here,” said Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, referring to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who is in hiding amid an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
Pangilinan added that even if rules could be amended via motion, procedural requirements such as the one-day notice must still be observed. Since Wednesday is a national holiday, the next session would be Monday, June 1.
Senators raised voices as debate intensified, until Marcoleta took a swipe at Hontiveros.
“Ito po ang mahirap kasi kung wala tayong legal background dito… hindi bagong motion ito,” Marcoleta said.
“Ad hominem… hindi po tama yun na sasabihin yung kasama niya ay walang alam sa batas,” Tulfo responded, prompting the suspension of session.
Hontiveros and Marcoleta were seen arguing on the floor while the session was suspended.
The aftermath
In a series of statements on Wednesday, May 27, Lacson noted that the minority had the rules on its side.
“When they (majority) play dirty, we (minority) will play it smart,” he said.
“We demonstrated how to score a victory by retreating. They may have superior numbers but we have the rules on our side,” he added.
Sotto said he would even consider elevating the matter to the Supreme Court, questioning the majority’s abuse of discretion, if necessary.
“If we are not able to stop it,” he said.
Asked whether walkouts could become a new tactic, Zubiri replied: “Monday is another day and another scenario.”
“We can work with the majority if that is the case but if they move to bend the rules or railroad an agenda then we are ready to make a stand,” he added.
