What is a 'quorum' and why can't the Senate function without it
Chaos ensued once more in the Senate after members of the minority bloc staged a walkout over a heated debate on electronic voting rules. The majority bloc insisted on discussing amendments that would allow senators to participate in proceedings remotely without being physically present.
The Sente minority strongly opposed the move, arguing it was designed to allow lawmakers like Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court, to take part in proceedings without being physically present.
When the minority bloc walked out of the May 26 session, attendance on the floor dropped to just 12 senators. Only 11 members of the majority bloc were physically present, while Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III stayed behind in the session hall to formally question the presence of a quorum.
If you are unfamiliar with how this works, read on to learn why a quorum is so critical for the Senate to function.
What is a quorum?
A quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting for a group to legally conduct business, hold votes, or make official decisions.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution particularly highlighted this requirement for Congress in Article VI, Section 16(2): "A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner, and under such penalties, as such House may provide."
This means that under both the Constitution and the Rules of the Senate, the chamber cannot officially conduct its legislative functions—such as debating measures, voting, or passing resolutions—unless more than half of its members are present in the session hall. Without this majority, the session must be suspended or adjourned.
If a senator questions whether there are enough members present to legally continue the session, the presiding officer must immediately call the roll to verify the attendance before announcing whether there is a quorum or not.
The rules stress that "the lack of quorum shall compel the President to adjourn the session."
However, any senator present can make a motion to suspend the session instead. If a majority of those in attendance agree, the chamber will pause the proceedings and direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to find and bring in the absent lawmakers to establish a quorum. This specific motion must be voted on immediately and cannot be debated or argued.
Does the Senate always need 13 members?
In an interview on ANC, former Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson explained that the requirement for 13 senators as quorum is not always applied in a straightforward manner during the course of a session.
According to him, once a session has officially begun with a valid quorum established through roll call, that quorum is considered the basis for the proceedings unless formally questioned.
It only becomes an issue if a senator on the floor formally raises it and the Chair verifies attendance.
"Because right now there are 12 minus Bato dela Rosa. If nobody is left in the session hall to question the quorum and to move for adjournment due to lack of quorum, then there will be 12 and if nobody questions the quorum, then they can proceed," he said.
“The only reason why [Sen. Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III] was able to question the quorum is because Sen. Chiz Escudero was not in plenary at the time. He was not on the floor,” he added. " So there were only 11, and Tito Sen was the 12th senator on the floor. And since the presence of at least 13 senators is required or was required at the time, he was able to move for adjournment due to lack of quorum."
Following the walkout, the session was suspended and adjourned until Monday, June 1, at 5 p.m.
In a joint statement, the minority bloc said they "strongly condemn" the move to "rush a major change in the Senate Rules."
The minority believes that the proposal requires more time for open, proper debate.
"The timing raises a question that the public deserves to hear debated openly. Kaya pinili naming tumayo at iwan ang majority sa plenary. Kaya kami nagdesisyon to question the quorum and call for adjournment," they continued. "If the proposal is truly defensible, then let it pass through the proper route. We owe it to the people who voted for us to do our mandate. This is why we want more time to discuss this further."