Senate minority urges Cayetano to resign as president after majority skips session again
The Senate minority bloc has urged Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to resign from his position after members of the majority failed to attend the June 2 plenary session.
Legislative work was once again disrupted as the majority bloc remain absent amid Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's arrest for his plunder cases. According to The Philippine STAR, as of 3:16 p.m., majority senators were still nowhere to be seen on the floor to constitute a quorum, whereas the 11-member minority group was present.
During this time, Cayetano went live on his Facebook account to confirm that the majority will not be attending today's session.
Speaking to the media, Sen. Erwin Tulfo stressed that what happened today was a "clear abandonment of responsibility, a deriliction 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. Under Rule 14, Sec. 41, the Senate president may postpone the holding of the session after consultation with the majority leader and minority leader. That rule was violated," he said.
"This is not merely a precedural lapse, it is a direct violation of the rules of the senate and a serious disrespect for the institution and the Filipino people. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should resign as he has shown that he cannot function as leader of the Senate anymore," he added.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri meanwhile appealed to his colleagues to attend the sessions, saying, "Binabayaran tayo ng taumbayan para magtrabaho, para mag-legislate, di para mag-absent-absent lamang at magbulakbol."
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian echoed similar sentiments, "Every day, ang Senate ay gumagastos ng P25 million sa kuryente, utility, sweldo, pero walang session na nangyari. Walang batas na na-approve, walang resolution na na-approve… Sayang ang bayad ng taumbayan sa’tin."
On the other hand, Sen. Risa Hontiveros asserted that they did not block any committee hearing from continuing.
"The numbers will speak for themselves, habang ganito ang bilang namin, kami ang minority. Dapat siya rin, si SP at ang majority, maging matapang harapin ang mandato o ang kakulangan ng mandato ng buong senado dito sa floor," she said.
Erwin's brother, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile made a sharp remark towards Cayetano.
"Hinahamon ko si Alan Peter Cayetano, kung matapang ka, pumunta ka rito bukas, otherwise duwag ka," he said.
Cayetano accuses minority of making threats
During his live, Cayetano also addressed the public about the "fundamental truth about what is happening in the Senate and in our country."
He began by recalling the change of leadership back on May 11, where he took over the position of Senate President from Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
"Noong May 11, kaya pala nandun 'yung [National Bureau of Investigation], kaya pala pinapasok ng mga nasa majority noon at nasa minority ngayon, ayaw nila magkaroon ng palitan ng leadership," he claimed.
"Ang sinabi nila na hindi katotohanan ay dahil daw ito sa impeachment. Pero 'yun pala, ito'y tungkol sa maraming bagay, kasama po na magkaroon ng independent, impartial impeachment, but also ayaw na magkaroon ng hearing sa Blue Ribbon na kung saan lalabas ang buong katotohanan," he added.
Cayetano went on to allege that for the last three weeks, the majority bloc has been experiencing various threats from the minority group.
"Walang ginawa kundi takutin kami, i-twist ang aming arm, opera ng kung ano-ano para lumipat sa kanila," he said.
Cayetano then recalled the incident where the minority group walked out on May 26 during discussions on amendments to the rules on electronic voting, which would allow senators to participate in proceedings remotely without being physically present.
"Ayaw po nila na magkaroon ng online dahil, sa bibig na rin nila nanggaling, may ikukulong daw. Bakit nila alam 'yung timing sa kulong? Sinabi ni senator Jinggoy, hindi lang ngayon nangyari sa kanya 'yan, since February. Wala na raw kaso kapag siya po ay sumunod sa kanila. In this case, lumipat," he said.
Cayetano asserted that this is not merely hearsay as he personally heard the negotiations himself.
"Nag-walkout sila dahil ayaw po nila na makaboto 'yung ilan naming mga kasama. Sa kanila mismo nanggaling 'yun. Objective ng walkout nila, sila ang maging majority. So ngayon naman po na walang forum at walang session yesterday and today, may kasamang mga protesta 'yun against a puppet senate na gusto nila," he said.
However, he clarified that he is not blaming the Sandiganbayan for Estrada's arrest, only that the minority group had allegedly abused the Blue Ribbon Committee to push the lawsuit.
Now that the trial for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case is looming, Cayetano underscored that he wants an "independent impeachment."
"Walang mga schemes, sinister plot—basta kung anong ebidensya, lalabas yung ebidensya," he said.
"I challenge all senators, both from the minority and majority, what's more important to us? Position? Huwag mabanggit 'yung pangalan natin? Huwag tayo makasuhan? Malapit tayo sa administrasyon? 2028 may ambisyon? If you say you love the country, then why not fight for it?" he added.
Nevertheless, Cayetano assured that in the next few days, they will be focusing on addressing key national concerns, particularly on economic issues such as inflation and agricultural production, as well as gaps in social services including access to healthcare, education challenges under the K-12 system.
In the Senate, a quorum of 13 members is needed to do business, hold votes, or make official decisions.
