Sen. Risa Hontiveros put the Senate rule-change fight in plain terms, saying there was no proper body that could bring Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal back to plenary because the Committee on Rules had not yet been formed.
“Since the committee has not been constituted, since there is no minority contingent in the committee, there is no body that can decide if we can bring Sen. Marcoleta’s first motion to the plenary,” Hontiveros said during the May 26 session.
The dispute erupted after the majority moved to take up Marcoleta’s proposal allowing senators to participate remotely. The proposal seeks to amend Rule XIV, Section 41 by allowing a senator, “for justifiable reason,” to join through teleconference or videoconference. The current rule allows remote sessions only during force majeure or a national emergency.
The minority questioned the timing, asking: “Minamadali ba ang rule change na ito dahil gusto nilang makaboto si Senator Bato? At ngayong may mga ulat na may mga majority senators na maaaring arestuhin?”
Sen. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte drug war. He appeared at the Senate on May 11 to vote for Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, was placed under protective custody, and left on May 14 after an incident involving gunfire.
The debate also came as Ombudsman Boying Remulla said his office was preparing flood control-related cases against senators. Reports said charges against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada may be filed within the week, while a plunder case against Sen. Joel Villanueva may follow later. Villanueva, the acting majority floor leader, brought Marcoleta’s proposal back to plenary.
Cayetano pushed to proceed with a vote, but ten minority senators, led by Sen. Migz Zubiri, walked out. “This is a travesty of our rules,” Zubiri said.
Minority Leader Tito Sotto stayed behind and moved for adjournment, citing the lack of quorum. The session was adjourned until June 1.
