SENATE WALKOUT. Photo courtesy of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
A brewing power struggle in the Senate escalated as minority lawmakers pushed back against a proposal allowing remote participation and online voting, seeing it as a rule change timed for politically sensitive cases.
The clash erupted after Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano moved to quickly take up Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal to allow senators to join sessions and cast votes through virtual platforms for what he described as valid reasons.
The push triggered a walkout by several senators aligned with the minority bloc led by former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri, leaving Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III on the floor to call for a roll call and eventual adjournment.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the minority would continue to resist what he described as attempts to bend Senate procedures, stressing that rules should not be adjusted for convenience.
He said the group believed it could still prevail by strictly adhering to the chamber’s rules, even if the majority had the numbers to push through its agenda.
The minority bloc insisted that any proposed amendment must first pass through the committee on rules before being taken up in plenary, pointing to provisions requiring formal review.
Cayetano and allies disagreed, arguing that the Senate could act on proposed changes directly through a vote on the floor without waiting for committee endorsement.
The timing of the proposal drew scrutiny, with some lawmakers questioning whether it was being rushed to accommodate senators facing possible arrest or legal proceedings.
Among those mentioned in discussions were officials linked to ongoing investigations, raising concerns that remote access could allow continued participation despite legal constraints.
The dispute highlighted deepening cracks within the chamber as it heads into high stakes proceedings, including a possible impeachment trial and other politically charged inquiries, with the minority signaling it may seek Supreme Court intervention if the proposal moves forward.