A member of the Senate minority block defended her opposition to a proposal allowing senators to attend plenary sessions online, saying the issue should not be compared to a 2021 resolution that sought to let then-detained Sen. Leila de Lima participate in Senate proceedings.
The senator drew criticism from netizens after they pointed to a February 23, 2021 resolution she filed with former Senate president Franklin Drilon, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, and former senator Ralph Recto, which sought to allow De Lima to join plenary proceedings while under detention.
But Sen. Risa Hontiveros said De Lima’s case was different from that of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, stressing that the Senate should not extend procedural privileges to a senator who refuses to submit to lawful arrest.
She said allowing such an arrangement would let a senator continue legislating, voting, debating, shaping public policy, and enjoying the institutional benefits of office while avoiding legal authority.
“At all times, kailangan may mutual respect para sa legal authority,” Hontiveros said in a radio interview.
The issue stems from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal to allow senators to attend plenary sessions virtually for “justifiable reasons.” Hontiveros said Senate rules allow videoconferencing only during force majeure or national emergencies.
She also cited past precedents, including the case of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was not allowed to participate in plenary proceedings while detained.
She accused the majority bloc of forcing the issue because its numbers could shrink in the coming days if some members face non-bailable charges before the Ombudsman.
She said senators are expected to physically report for work, face the public, and perform their duties as a matter of accountability to taxpayers.
“To whom much power is given, much responsibility is expected,” Hontiveros said. “Kaming mga senador ay dapat pumasok, humarap sa publiko at magtrabaho.”
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also opposed the proposed rule change, saying he has been consistent against teleconferencing in Senate proceedings.
Zubiri recalled that when he was Senate president, he rejected a request by then-senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to attend sessions online after Revilla suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in April 2024. Revilla recovered from surgery in August of the same year.
Zubiri also said the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago did not seek an exemption from physical attendance despite battling cancer, choosing instead to file a medical leave out of respect for Senate rules.
“If we agree to the motion, senators will no longer attend sessions in the plenary. It will be a mockery of the Senate,” Zubiri said.
He added that his decision to oppose Revilla’s online attendance was among the reasons some senators became disappointed with his leadership, eventually contributing to his ouster as Senate president.
Zubiri said the minority bloc is willing to work with the majority, but warned that it would resist efforts to bend Senate rules or railroad an agenda.