A senior Senate legislator said proposals to cite foreign conflicts and long-running global threats as grounds for virtual Senate participation and voting would be an “unforced error,” arguing that they do not fall under force majeure.
“Hindi po ito force majeure. Iyan po ay unforced error,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in a post on X on Thursday.
His statement came amid debate over proposals to expand the Senate rules on remote participation, following arguments that events such as the Middle East conflict, the China-Taiwan tension, and climate-related risks could justify online attendance and voting.
Lacson said the proposal is unlikely to prosper because the existing Senate rules only allow virtual participation during force majeure or a national emergency that prevents senators from physically attending sessions.
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the type of extraordinary situation contemplated by the rule, where unexpected or uncontrollable circumstances made physical attendance impractical or unsafe.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also rejected the argument that the cited global events could be treated as force majeure.
“With all due respect, hindi po yan force majeure,” the lady solonsaid.
She said the Middle East conflict is happening in another region, while its impact on the Philippines, including possible effects on oil prices, should push senators to attend sessions in person and pass measures to help the public.
“Yung giyera sa Middle East, yan po ay nangyayari sa mga mamamayan doon sa ibang rehiyon pa, precisely sa Middle East at yung epektong oil crisis na yan sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.
She said the threat of a China-Taiwan conflict has existed for some time and should not be considered an unforeseen event that would require senators to work remotely.
She also said global warming, climate change, and El Niño are long-standing concerns that require legislative action, but not online debate or remote voting.
“Ang napipinto o ang kinatatakutang hidwaan ng China at sa Taiwan, medyo matagal-tagal nang banta yan. Hindi naman namin kailangan na mag-work online,” Hontiveros said.
She added that climate-related concerns should be tackled by senators through regular in-person legislative work.
“Yan ay kasama sa issues na dapat namin trabahuin in person. At hindi kailangang bigyan-daan na online ang pag debate at pagboto diyan,” she said.
The debate over virtual participation comes as the Senate faces scrutiny over proposals to amend its rules ahead of major proceedings, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.