Sen. Raffy Tulfo. Photo courtesy of PNA.
Amid dissatisfaction over a proposal to amend Senate rules and allow lawmakers to participate in plenary sessions remotely, Senator Rafael ‘Raffy’ Tulfo disclosed that two senators from the “majority” bloc may soon transfer to the minority.
According to the former broadcaster, if one observes the demeanor of some senators in the majority during the commotion, some of them were not happy.
“Ang mga kilos nila, demeanor nila, parang hindi sila sang-ayon sa mga nangyayari. Iyon ang dalawa na maaaring lumipat,” he announced in a press briefing.
Asked to identify the senators, Tulfo replied categorically: “I don’t know.”
Currently, the minority bloc has 11 members, while the majority effectively has 12 with Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa remaining in hiding due to the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Tulfo stressed that the minority bloc remains solid as it continues to support Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for Senate President.
“Their numbers are very thin, so there’s a big possibility he could be replaced sooner or later,” he pointed out in reference to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who insists he is still the Senate’s legitimate leader.
Last week, minority senators prevented a vote on a motion to tackle in the Senate plenary a proposed amendment to its rules to allow senators to participate remotely in sessions, after they walked out.
Former Senate president Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III previously urged Senate President Cayetano to relinquish his post, saying the Senate needs a better “unified” leader to head the chamber as the deepening rift between senators is hampering their constitutional duties.
He, however, said the decision lies with Cayetano.
In the meantime, Tulfo noted that “it is up to Senate President Cayetano whether he will allow this situation in the Senate to continue.”
“He (Cayetano) can fix it if he wants to and he can also make it worse if he chooses to,” he concluded.
