Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed strong disappointment over the Senate’s inability to hold its session due to a lack of quorum, arguing that pressing public issues must always come before political maneuvering.
The lawmaker made the remarks on Monday following the cancellation of the June 1 session. The chamber was forced to halt official business after a majority of senators failed to attend.
“Handa kaming magtrabaho, pero ayon sa Senate rules, kung wala ang Senate President o walang quorum, walang session,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan highlighted that multiple urgent matters demand immediate action from lawmakers, especially those that directly impact the country’s most vulnerable populations.
“Madaming nakaabang na trabaho. Kumakalam ang sikmura ng ating mga kababayan,” he said, referencing the widespread hunger and financial difficulties Filipinos are currently facing.
Furthermore, the senator sounded the alarm on looming dangers to the agricultural sector, pointing out that an impending super El Niño threatens the livelihood of food producers.
“Nanganganib na naman ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda dahil sa nalalapit na super El Niño,” he said.
He further chided the administration’s leadership, asserting that a government unable to respect its own protocols will inevitably fail to deliver solutions for ordinary citizens.
“Ang gobyernong hindi kayang sundin ang sarili nitong patakaran, hindi kayang solusyunan ang problema ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawa, at ordinaryong pamilyang Pilipino,” Pangilinan said.
He concluded with a reminder that public welfare should never take a backseat to political agendas.
“Makapaghihintay ang pulitika, pero ang gutom hindi,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 11-member Senate minority coalition, dubbed the “Solid Bloc 11,” condemned the majority’s absence. They labeled the no-show as a “boycott of duty” that effectively paralyzed legislative operations and stalled critical bills.
According to the minority group, their members were on the floor and ready for the 5:00 p.m. session resumption, but the majority bloc—headed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano—did not show up and failed to provide any official explanation for their absence.