Senator Rodante Marcoleta has dismissed allegations that the Senate majority bloc is fast-tracking a proposed rules change to allow virtual attendance in legislative proceedings, a controversy that triggered a minority walkout during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Defending his motion to permit online participation under specific conditions, Marcoleta explained that the proposal is merely an effort to modernize legislative operations in line with technological advancements. He noted that he first introduced the concept on May 11.
To support his argument, Marcoleta pointed out that alternative participation methods are already widely accepted in other sectors, such as the implementation of internet voting for overseas Filipinos and digital voting provisions under the Corporation Code.
“Makikita nyo yung bagong technology at dahil sa ito’y dala na rin ng panahon, yun lang naman ang pakay noon,” Marcoleta told reporters in a post-session interview.
The issue reached a boiling point on Tuesday evening when minority senators fiercely questioned the majority’s decision to debate and vote on the motion immediately, culminating in the minority bloc walking out of the floor.
The debate also drew scrutiny after Marcoleta made remarks concerning Senator Risa Hontiveros, who had raised procedural objections to the amendment.
Marcoleta clarified that his comments regarding her non-legal background were not intended as a personal slight, but rather a point of clarification regarding statutory interpretation.
“Sabi ko with no offense meant,” Marcoleta explained, adding that he was simply trying to differentiate between general and special provisions in law. “I’m sorry na maaaring sa panig nila ay may nasaktan. Wala pong pakay na gano’n.”
Furthermore, the lawmaker firmly rejected speculations raised during the floor debates—including a query from Senator Erwin Tulfo—suggesting the rule change was an expedited safety net for majority senators facing potential arrest or legal detention.
Marcoleta maintained that the proposal does not cater to any specific individual or looming legal scenario.
He emphasized that the measure is far from finalized and still requires thorough deliberation to explicitly define what constitutes “justifiable conditions” for a senator to log in virtually.