Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday, May 30, dismissed allegations that a proposed amendment to Senate rules regarding remote attendance is meant to affect the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a social media livestream, Cayetano explained that the ongoing discussions are strictly about regular Senate operations.
He emphasized that these amendments are separate from the specific impeachment guidelines already approved by the body when it officially formed as an impeachment court on May 18.
“There is no truth that this rule amendment is linked to the impeachment rule amendment. Why? First of all, we have already adopted the impeachment rules. If we change them, they will be published and it will take longer,” Cayetano said.
“What we are talking about is a Senate rule. There is no truth in those posting that say this has anything to do with impeachment,” he added.
The Root of the Plenary Debate
The controversy started during the May 26 session when minority lawmakers opposed a proposal introduced by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to allow remote participation in sessions. The disagreement triggered a long, intense debate between the majority and minority factions.
To resolve the standstill, Cayetano called for a vote, which prompted minority senators to stage a walkout. Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III subsequently moved to adjourn the session.
Cayetano clarified that lawmakers were merely voting on whether to open the proposal for discussion, not approving its actual contents. He also rejected criticisms from Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who accused the majority of bypassing the committee process.
“Let’s clarify some things sa rules mismo ng Senate. Nakalagay doon, simple: The Majority can amend. Again, i-emphasize ko ha kasi binabaliktad nang binabaliktad ng ating kaibigan na si Senator (Panfilo) Lacson. Sabi niya, OK lang pag-usapan ang rules, huwag lang i-railroad. Wala pong railroading. Ang sinasabi po kasi niya, nasa Committee yung rules,” Cayetano explained.
“Ang plenary po ay mas powerful sa committees… So we were not violating any rule. And in fact, May 11 pa nag-start iyan… (Ang totoo niyan) Ilan lang kasi sila nandoon during that Tuesday night. The plenary is more powerful than the committees… So we were not violating any rule. And in fact, there were 11 people who started it… (That’s true) There were only a few of them there during that Tuesday night. But the point is, we were ready to defend and talk about the proposal,” he added.
Power Dynamics and Committee Control
According to Cayetano, the tension highlights a broader political struggle for authority and legislative control within the chamber.
“Representation is very important because it’s all about control… I want you to understand that the rule about voting is tied to control. Thirteen (13) ang kailangan para palitan ang Senate President, pero ang magpapatawag ng hearings ay ang chairperson,” Cayetano noted.
“So meaning, kung maibabalik sa kanila (ang leadership), ise-schedule ba nila yung flood control hearing? Kontrolado din po ng Majority at ng chairman kung sino ang iimbitahin,” he added.
The Senate President confirmed that the investigation into the alleged flood control scam will pick up again on June 4. The probe will be handled by a Blue Ribbon subcommittee led by Marcoleta.
Marcoleta previously headed the main Blue Ribbon Committee under former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, before leadership shifted to Lacson under Sotto’s current leadership.