SOLID BLOC 11: THIS IS NOT SENATE INDEPENDENCE BUT A BOYCOTT OF DUTY
The Solid Bloc 11 minority senators were present today for the 5 p.m. resumption of session, ready to work, ready to vote on pending bills and ready to keep the Senate running, but the majority led by SP Cayetano chose not to show up.
They did not even have the courtesy to inform us when they ignored the rules, and could not extend the basic decency of telling the minority that they had no intention of convening.
Let us focus on the work, because the Senate has serious business before it, and if the majority wants to protest, deliver privilege speeches or defend its position, the proper place to do that is on the floor, not by making the chamber stand still.
Ang Senado ay hindi pag-aari ng iisang may hawak ng gavel. Institusyon ito ng taumbayan at napakadaming mahalagang panukala ang nabibinbin dahil sa drama ng mayorya.
Important measures were left hanging because of the majority’s boycott, including the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, the Anti-Hospital Detention Bill, the confirmation of generals before the Commission on Appointments and the bills granting Philippine citizenship to Bennie Boatwright III and Matthew James Ramos.
Let us call this for what it is: the claim that this is about Senate independence is false, because what happened today was about the rule of law, public accountability and a lawful process before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan that no senator, no bloc and no presiding officer controls.
This is a boycott because of the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and the public should not be asked to believe another convenient line from a leadership that has repeatedly twisted the truth.
Today was a step toward accountability in a controversy that the public has long demanded action on, and after years of people asking why nothing was happening in flood control investigations, it is unacceptable to suddenly call the rule of law an attack on the Senate.
Is Senate President Alan Cayetano now questioning the rule of law?
Sa totoo lang, ang gusto nila ay kampihan, hindi prinsipyo. Gusto nila sumama kami sa boycott, patahimikin ang Senado at gamitin ang minority para manatili ang Senate President sa puwesto habang iniiwasan ang tunay na test of numbers sa floor.
This may be the first time in decades that Senate work stopped because the presiding officer himself refused to work, because even during typhoons and the height of the pandemic, work was suspended only because of necessity or because systems still had to be set up, not because the leadership chose a boycott of duty.
The public has every right to ask whether SP Cayetano is repeating what he did in the House of Representatives, when questions were raised about a leader refusing to step aside, refusing to convene and holding up proceedings when the numbers were no longer certain.
The question now is just as serious: will they do this again for the next two session days, and will they keep the Senate idle simply to avoid facing the numbers on the floor?
The Senate should open its doors, call the session to order and return to work, because no Facebook post, no appeal to institutional pride and no political drama can erase the basic duty of senators to show up, follow the law and serve the people.
And lastly, we call on the Filipino people to watch the Senate closely, because when an institution refuses to work, public vigilance becomes the people’s first line of defense.
FIRST ON ABS-CBN NEWS: Narito ang ilang eksena na kuha ni ABS-CBN News reporter Zyann Ambrosio kasama ang NBI sa area ng GSIS, gabi ng May 13.
Abangan ang buong ulat sa TV Patrol ngayong Huwebes, Mayo 14, 2026.
Watching violence and chaos unfold even within spaces that are supposed to represent democracy is deeply alarming. The Philippine Senate should be a place for accountability, leadership, and public service.. not fear, aggression, and political hostility.
As citizens, we deserve a government that protects people, respects democratic institutions, and prioritizes the welfare of the nation over power struggles and personal interests. Nakakapagod nang paulit-ulit tayong witness sa mga ganitong klaseng pangyayari habang ordinary Filipinos continue to struggle every day.
But beyond outrage, we also need action as a community.
• Let’s stay informed.
• Let’s fact-check before sharing misinformation.
• Let’s hold leaders accountable regardless of political side.
• Let’s support peaceful civic engagement, voter education, and responsible discourse.
• And most importantly, let’s not normalize violence, intimidation, and abuse of power.
The future of this country should never depend on fear. It should depend on people who still care enough to speak up, participate, and demand better.
WE DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS.
The 4th sa table 4 was our maem
@bini_jhoanna : “Naniniwala ba kayo sa manifestations? Totoo yun!!”
Us: “Kaya kami nandito today!”
🐥: “Alam niyo ano minamanifest ko? GOOD GOVERNANCE! 😏🥰”
Sabi pa niya “ay wala yung live!” kaya nagbigay ng mic at take 2. BEST LEADER! 💙
Mel Tiangco: matagal kayong hindi pumasok eh. 6 na buwan kayong nawala sa senado…
Karen Davila: tapos eto kayo tumatakbo, umiiwas sa mga pulis, umiiyak sa senado, takot na takot kayo…
HAHAHA women roasting the hell out of this stupid, cowardly senator. we love to see it! 😌