The Senate minority bloc is prepared to take its fight to the Supreme Court if the majority pushes through with a controversial amendment allowing virtual participation in legislative sessions, Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III announced on Wednesday, May 27.
Sotto confirmed the high court challenge remains a strong option to block what former Senate President Franklin Drilon warned could be a “grave abuse of discretion” by the chamber’s majority faction.
“If we are not able to stop it,” Sotto stated, when asked about elevating the constitutional and procedural dispute to the judiciary.
The conflict erupted over a proposal by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to alter standing Senate rules, enabling lawmakers to attend sessions remotely under specific circumstances.
Sotto fiercely criticized the initiative, arguing that established parliamentary traditions are being bent to shield specific colleagues from potential legal fallout.
“Rules should be followed, not changed for personal reasons,” Sotto insisted.
The brewing tension boiled over during Tuesday’s plenary session, culminating in a dramatic walkout by all 11 minority senators.
Beyond the core proposal, Sotto raised serious procedural defects, contending that the Committee on Rules lacked the legal authority to endorse the amendment. He pointed out that the panel had not been officially formed following the recent Senate leadership reshuffle.
“The rules committee was never constituted. There is no chairman. Joel was acting capacity only,” Sotto noted, referencing Acting Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
The minority leader also questioned the underlying motive behind the sudden rule change, suggesting it was tailor-made for lawmakers facing imminent criminal prosecution or detention—specifically pointing to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“Why will they insist to change the rules when it is obviously just to favor Bato and whoever will be charged. That is not our fault,” Sotto added.
In a unified statement, the minority senators blasted the majority’s attempt to fast-track a sweeping institutional overhaul while silencing opposition debate. They argued that technical adherence to the rules cannot justify a flawed amendment process.
”The timing raises a question that the public deserves to hear debated openly. Kaya pinili naming tumayo at iwan ang majority sa plenary. Kaya kami nagdesisyon to question the quorum and call for adjournment,” the minority bloc stated.