NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS ELECTED AFTER SENATE QUORUM CONVENES
The Senate deadlock was finally broken after majority bloc senator Chiz Escudero attended the plenary session on Wednesday, forming a quorum.
The session saw the election of Sen. Win Gatchalian as the new Senate President Pro Tempore and as the acting Senate President.
New committee chairs were likewise elected during the session, with some members being reinstated to their previous positions that they held before the election of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Read: https://t.co/KJ4GEInOIl
*Solid Bloc 12: Sen. Alan Cayetano is no longer Senate President*
For clarity, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant, including the presidency of the institution.
Hindi pa lamang naihahalal si Sen. Win Gatchalian bilang bagong Senate President dahil kailangan pa ng 13 boto sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon. Pero ito ang malinaw at mahalaga ngayon: bakante na ang lahat ng posisyon, tapos na ang dating liderato at dapat magpatuloy ang trabaho ng Senado para sa taumbayan.
Statement sent to @ABSCBNNews
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.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian - SP Pro Tempore
Sen. Erwin Tulfo - Committee Chairman on Blue Ribbon
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan - Committee Chairman on Agriculture
Sen. Risa Hontiveros - Committee Chairman on Health
Sen. Bam Aquino - Committee Chairman on Basic Education
TODAY, WE CHEER FOR THE MINORITY 🥹🫶
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE
NO BAD LUCK IN JUNE