Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday criticized members of the Senate minority bloc for walking out of a plenary session earlier this week, accusing them of obstructing discussions on a proposed amendment that would allow senators to participate in Senate proceedings remotely.
Speaking during a livestream on his social media platform, Cayetano dismissed allegations that the majority bloc was rushing changes to the Senate rules. Instead, he argued that the minority lawmakers were preventing a meaningful exchange of views on the proposal.
“Sabi nila, ‘tyranny of the majority.’ Hindi po. ‘Tyranny Tulfo ‘to.’ ‘Tyranny Lacson.’ ‘Tyranny Pangilinan.’ ‘Tyranny Hontiveros.’ Kasi palakasan ng boses imbes na we listen to one another, (They said, ‘tyranny of the majority.’ No. This is ‘Tyranny Tulfo.’ ‘Tyranny Lacson.’ ‘Tyranny Pangilinan.’ ‘Tyranny Hontiveros.’ Because it’s a shouting match instead of us listening to one another,)” Cayetano said.
The Senate chief specifically cited Senators Erwin Tulfo, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros, claiming that their actions hindered deliberations on the suggested revisions to the chamber’s rules.
The dispute stemmed from a heated session on Tuesday, during which members of the minority bloc left the plenary floor in protest. The lawmakers maintained that the proposed amendment was being advanced without sufficient discussion and scrutiny.
Following the walkout, minority senators released a statement defending their decision and accusing the majority bloc of attempting to push through the measure prematurely.
“We have always welcomed healthy discussions on the floor, but this should mean allowing all members to be heard, not forcing the chamber to move at the speed preferred by the majority,” the minority bloc said.
Cayetano, however, maintained that the motion under consideration was intended only to begin formal discussions on the proposed changes and was not aimed at securing their immediate approval.
According to the Senate President, the minority’s departure from the session prevented a fuller debate on the issue and cut short an opportunity for both sides to present their positions.
“Rather than debating, Tuesday night should not have ended that way. There’s no need for the walkout,” he said. “Ang problema, you refuse to listen to us. (The problem is, you refuse to listen to us.)”
As of Friday, the 11-member minority bloc headed by Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III had not issued a response to Cayetano’s latest remarks.