Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said an 11-11 split in the Senate composition would cripple the chamber’s ability to function and render Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano ineffective.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Drilon said a deadlocked Senate may fail to pass measures or approve motions, resulting in a legislative standstill.
“11-11, walang maipasa na batas. Walang motion na ma-approve,” he said.
[Translation: With an 11-11 split, no law can be passed. No motion can be approved.]
Drilon said while Cayetano would technically remain Senate president, his ability to lead would be crippled without majority support.
“He will still be the Senate president because there are no 13 votes to dislodge him. But can he be an effective Senate president? No. Because he does not have the majority support,” he said.
The former Senate chief explained that key decisions in the chamber depend on majority votes, and a tie would prevent that.
The possibility of a split has been raised amid legal troubles involving some senators, which could affect voting dynamics in the 24-member chamber.
Drilon said the situation highlights the fragility of the Senate’s balance of power and the importance of maintaining clear majority support to ensure governance.
He added that without a working majority, even routine legislative processes could be stalled, affecting the Senate’s overall effectiveness.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa is in hiding, while Senator Jinggoy Estrada faces possible arrest for plunder and graft charges. That leaves only 22 senators in the plenary session.
Congress will have its final session days next week before a two-month break. It will reconvene in the last week of July for the State of the Nation Address.
