A first-year college student has lodged an ethics complaint against Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and several members of the former Senate majority bloc, accusing them of neglecting their duties after failing to attend Senate sessions on June 1 and 2.
The complaint was filed on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges by 21-year-old Mark Joseph Duque.
Duque argued that the senators’ absence from the sessions constituted negligence of duty, saying:
“Halata naman po na negligence of duty po yung ginagawa nila kasi unang una po sa lahat hindi sila nag-convene na dapat ay trabaho ng mga kongresista at mga senador.”
He added:
“Madami po kasi siyang naging epekto sa atin, madaming mga batas na hindi po natin naipasa nang dahil sa ganitong sitwasyon po.”
According to Duque, the senators may have violated Rule XIV, Section 41 of the Senate Rules as well as provisions under the chamber’s Code of Ethics.
In his complaint, he called for appropriate sanctions, including possible warnings, suspensions, or reprimands against those involved.
Duque also questioned the senators’ repeated absences, comparing them to disciplinary measures imposed on students who fail to attend classes.
“Kung ang estudyante nag-aabsent di ba may mga sanctions nga po yan puwede kang masuspend, puwede kang mag-community service then pag senador dapat okay lang umabsent? Hindi po ito yung paraan para magprotesta sila dahil sa pagkahuli ni Senador Jinggoy Estrada.”
Meanwhile, Cayetano was absent once more during Wednesday’s Senate session. Despite this, the chamber was able to establish a quorum after Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero arrived at the session hall.
During the session, Senator Win Gatchalian was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore. Members of the new majority bloc also emphasized that Cayetano no longer holds the position of Senate President.