MANILA, Philippines – The Senate majority bloc again skipped the plenary session on Tuesday, June 2, in a bid to retain control of the Senate blue ribbon committee and other panels amid an escalating power struggle in the chamber.

Instead of attending the session, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano went live on Facebook at 3:19 pm, where he defended the majority’s absence as a form of protest against what he described as a “puppet Senate.”

“Ang majority, ginagamit din po ang rules sa tama, morally, legally, to ensure na hindi agawin ang mga committees para po matuloy ang hearing ng blue ribbon sa Thursday at ang iba’t iba pang mga importanteng hearings sa bawat committee,” Cayetano said.

(The majority is also using the rules properly, morally, legally, to ensure that the committees are not taken over, so that the blue ribbon hearing on Thursday and the various other important hearings of each committee can proceed.)

Only the 11-member minority bloc was present in the plenary. Without a quorum — or at least 13 senators physically present — the Senate could not conduct business.

Shortly after 3 pm, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales informed the minority senators that members of the majority bloc, including Cayetano, would not be attending Tuesday’s session.

Cayetano, still on his Facebook live, said that they are using their numbers and absence in the Senate as a “parlimentary tool” to their advantage.

He likened the move to the walkout staged by minority senators on May 26 in protest of a proposal allowing senators to participate in sessions virtually under “justifiable” circumstances. That walkout resulted in the adjournment of the session.

The majority’s numerical advantage has also weakened in recent days. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains in hiding following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, while Senator Jinggoy Estrada is in detention over plunder and graft charges.

With the two majority senators effectively unable to attend sessions, the majority’s edge disappears, leaving the Senate evenly divided at 11-11.

Call for resignation

Following Cayetano’s second consecutive absence, the minority senators called for Cayetano’s resignation.

“What happened today was a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution, because the Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” the minority bloc senators said in a statement read by Senator Erwin Tulfo in a media interview at the Senate session hall.

Responding to Cayetano’s claim that the minority was trying to derail the blue ribbon committee’s flood control investigation scheduled for Thursday, June 4, Senator Risa Hontiveros said they were not blocking any committee proceedings as long as they were conducted through the proper process.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile, criticized Cayetano for addressing the issues on social media instead of attending the session.

“Ang masakit n’yan imbis na pumasok siya rito itong si SP Alan e sa Facebook siya pumapasok. Dito dapat siya magsalita, magdebate, kung ano ang gusto niyang gawin, ‘wag naman sa social media,” Tulfo said.

(What’s worse is that instead of coming here, Senate President Alan goes on Facebook. He should be speaking here, debating here, and explaining what he wants to do, not on social media.)

Minority urges majority senators to return, join them

Minority senators appealed to members of the majority bloc to attend the session scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.

“We appeal to our colleagues who still care about the Senate and who want to work for the Filipino people to attend tomorrow’s session. Let us meet here,” Senator Bam Aquino said.

“We appeal to the rest of the members of the majority. ‘Wag na si Senate President,” Senator Ping Lacson said. “We appeal to their sense of duty and responsibility,” to attend the session on Wednesday, June 3.

“Hinahamon ko si Alan Peter Cayetano, kung matapang ka pumunta ka dito bukas, otherwise duwag ka,” Senator Raffy Tulfo said. (I challenge Alan Peter Cayetano, if you’re brave, come here tomorrow. Otherwise, you’re a coward.)

Members of the majority bloc were also absent for the scheduled session on Monday, June 1. Their absence in the plenary followed the arrest of Senator Estrada, a member of the majority.

Senators Migz Zubiri and JV Ejercito claimed that “many” senators from the majority bloc are also unhappy about Cayetano’s directive for them not to attend the session.

Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday morning was present in the Senate to lead the committee hearing on education. She, however, refused to answer media’s questions about why she did not attend the session on Monday, June 1, and whether or not she would attend the Tuesday session.

Members of the minority bloc also called on the members of the majority to join them.

In a statement on Monday, Cayetano asked the Senate minority to not attend the session and to let the Senate go quiet.

Hontiveros rejected the proposal.

“Ang Senado ay dapat boses ng mamayan. Bakit niya bubusalan. Kung bubusalan niya at hindi niya bibigyang daan ‘yung boses ng Senado alang-alang sa mamayan talagang hindi na siya dapat mamuno dito,” Hontiveros said.

(The Senate should be the voice of the people. Why would he silence it? If he is going to silence the Senate and prevent it from speaking for the people, then he should no longer lead this institution.)

Measures in limbo again

With only a few session days remaining before adjournment, the Senate’s inability to convene has left several measures pending.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said at least two agriculture-related bills intended to benefit farmers and fisherfolk were scheduled for deliberation on Tuesday but could not be taken up because of what he described as Cayetano’s “abandonment of duty.”

Measures awaiting floor action also include Senator Risa Hontiveros’ Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers and the Anti-Hospital Detention Bill.

Pangilinan added that several foreigners seeking Philippine citizenship had traveled to the Senate for the proceedings, only to be left waiting after the session failed to materialize. – Rappler.com