The Senate minority bloc may bring the issue to the Supreme Court if the majority insists on pushing proposed amendments that would allow senators to participate and vote online for “justifiable reasons.”
They said the minority would continue debating the proposal of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta if it is revived in plenary next week, warning that the move could violate the chamber’s own rules and committee process.
“We’ll keep debating, we’ll keep asking questions, we’ll keep interpellating and we will introduce amendments if it comes to that,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in an interview.
He said the minority may also stage another walkout if the majority moves to adopt the proposed rule changes despite objections.
The controversy stems from a motion filed by Marcoleta on May 11 after Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa physically attended a plenary session to vote in the leadership change that installed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president in place of Sen. Vicente Sotto III.
The proposal was referred to the Committee on Rules, which has yet to be formally constituted following the leadership change. Sen. Joel Villanueva is acting as both committee chair and majority leader.
Lacson argued that the proposal should first be handled under Rule 24, which covers committee referrals and deliberations, instead of being acted upon directly under Rule 136, which allows the Senate to amend its rules by a majority vote of all members.
He said invoking Rule 136 would be improper because the motion had already been referred to the rules committee.
“If they disregard Rule 24 and insist… then divide the house, kung matatalo kami sa botohan, then so be it. Talagang tyranny of numbers yan,” Lacson said.
He added that if the majority forces the issue, the minority may seek judicial intervention.
“But our next move if they insist is probably the minority members will have the option to bring the case before the Supreme Court,” he said.
The debate triggered a walkout by minority senators last Tuesday, leaving only 12 majority senators on the floor. With no quorum, Sotto remained in the session hall and moved to adjourn.
Under Senate rules, at least 13 of the 24 senators must be present to act on a motion.
“They cannot force the adoption of a motion without a quorum. So, we may also do that again,” he said.
The rule-change debate has intensified scrutiny of the Senate as it prepares for sensitive proceedings, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Critics have warned that expanding remote participation could raise questions on accountability, transparency, and physical presence in major constitutional processes.
The veteran legislator also clarified that his post on X saying “it’s the RULES, stupid!” was an idiomatic expression and not a personal insult against Marcoleta, who had questioned Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ lack of legal background.
“It’s not intended to insult. Hindi yan personal insult… mag-focus tayo sa rules,” he said.