The newly established Senate majority bloc has released a joint declaration urging the upper chamber to move past internal political friction and focus on its legislative duties. This development follows a shakeup in the chamber’s leadership, which saw Senator Win Gatchalian take over as Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President.
In their statement, the majority bloc lauded Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero for initiating floor discussions, which allowed lawmakers to pivot back to urgent legislative matters.
“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,” the majority bloc said. “His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else.”
According to the group, Escudero’s intervention was vital in shifting the chamber’s focus toward pressing national concerns that demand immediate legislative attention.
Addressing questions regarding a lack of quorum, the bloc defended the legitimacy of their session by citing the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco. They argued that legally, a quorum of 12 members is valid if it represents the senators who are actively capable of performing their official duties.
They further justified their stance by pointing to an internal precedent set over a decade ago under comparable circumstances.
“There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction,” the statement read. “The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold.”
The majority bloc maintained that institutional gridlock is unacceptable, emphasizing that political disagreements should never stall the functions of the state.
“At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate,” the statement said.
The lawmakers reiterated that core governance responsibilities—specifically lawmaking, public service, and congressional oversight—must always override internal political disputes.
“The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics,” they said.
The manifesto closed with a strong call for unity and a swift return to regular lawmaking to maintain national stability and effective governance.
This collective push comes on the heels of a broader reorganization within the Senate, which included the shuffling of committee chairmanships alongside Gatchalian’s transition into the acting leadership role.