SENATE BACK TO WORK FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
We express our deep appreciation and commend the courageous decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution. His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else.
His presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside.
On the issue of quorum, this is not an uncharted matter. The Supreme Court, in Avelino v. Cuenco, recognized the principle that a quorum of 12 is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate.
There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold.
At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest.
The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics.
It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people.
Today, I take my oath as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwala at kumpiyansang ipinagkaloob sa akin ng aking mga kasamahan sa Senado.
Buong pagpapakumbaba kong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na ito. Patuloy tayong magtatrabaho at tutupad sa ating tungkulin para sa sambayanang Pilipino.
BINABALEWALA ANG ATING RULES. KAMI SA SB-11 AY TUTOL DITO DAHIL IMPUNITY ITO!
Ang nangyari ngayon ay malinaw na pag-abandona sa tungkulin, pagpapabaya sa responsibilidad, at tahasang pagsasawalang-bahala sa mga alituntunin ng institusyong ito. Hindi maaaring patigilin ang Senado sa pagtatrabaho dahil lang tumatangging mamuno ang presiding officer nito.
Absolute disrespect for the Filipino people. What entitlement.
Mag-boycott tayo.
Huwag mag trabaho.
Hayaan natin ang mga nakabinbing panukala.
Mga senador, binabayaran kayo ng taumbayan. Pambabastos ito sa Pilipino.
Senators were seen crying yesterday as a colleague was being arrested for plunder.
This is in no way an indictment of the accused senator but I would like to remind our lawmakers…
Iyakan n’yo ang ninanakawang Pilipino.
Iyakan n’yo ang binabaha dahil sa nakawan sa flood control.
Iyakan n’yo ang gutom nating mga kababayan.
Get out of your bubble. Please.
Handa kaming magtrabaho, pero ayon sa Senate rules, kung wala ang SP o walang quorum, walang session.
We wait until the SP returns and fulfills his sworn duty.
Madaming nakaabang na trabaho. Kumakalam ang sikmura ng ating mga kababayan. Nanganganib na naman ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda dahil sa nalalapit na super El Niño.
Ang gobyernong hindi kayang sundin ang sarili nitong patakaran, hindi kayang solusyunan ang problema ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawa, at ordinaryong pamilyang Pilipino.
Makapaghihintay ang pulitika, pero ang gutom hindi.
Mula 2016 hindi na ako nanood ng kahit anong video clip, news etc basta lumalabas at nagsasalita si Duterte.
Hindi kaya ng pagkatao ko.
I did not vote and even campaigned against Bongbong.
Tolerable siya sa akin pakinggan. Kaya kong panoorin.
Kayo ba?
When De Lima asked to participate online in 2021, she was merely invoking for equal treatment as other Senators were also convening online.
What the Senate Majority is now attempting to allow is for Bato to be given special treatment when all other Senators are convening in person.
De Lima was facing her case. Bato is evading his.
MAGKAIBA SILA.
Friendly reminder that while UNJUSTLY incarcerated, Senator Leila DeLima was NEVER given the opportunity to vote remotely yet she authored HUNDREDS of bills, resolutions and dispatches BY HAND including 4Ps(!), the Magna Carta for the Poor and the Prison Reform Act.
IMHO, the Senate 11 is a good example of how coalitions can work. Hindi naman kailangang purely pare-pareho kayo. Kailangan lang na united kayo (fr unlike UNITEAM) to work for the better while also ensuring safe spaces for dialogue to exist.
"'Nanlaban' did not happen. Petitioner ran."
Kinumpara ni Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen ang ginawang "pagtakbo" ni Senador Ronald Dela Rosa sa warrant of arrest ng ICC at ang noo'y sitwasyon ng EJK victims, na hindi hinainan ng warrant dahil nanlaban umano.
Kaugnay na ulat: https://t.co/fDt1IOQBoA
Risa Hontiveros has taken years of nonstop lashings, trolling, and attacks from Duterte supporters, but she’s still here, fighting, speaking up, and standing her ground.
Agree or disagree with her running for presidency in 2028, THAT KIND OF RESILIENCE IS RARE.
Some of the notable walkouts in Philippine history:
1971 - Diliman Commune
1986 - COMELEC Tabulators at PICC (leading to EDSA 1)
2001 - House Prosecutors during Estrada impeachment (leading to EDSA 2)
2026 -Senate Minority bloc on changing the Senate Rules