A new civil society watchdog called “Bantay Senado” has been formed following a halt in legislative proceedings amid a tense leadership struggle and the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Atty. Dino de Leon, a public interest lawyer and convenor of Team Pinas, stated that the group was organized after the Senate failed to hold sessions on June 1 and 2.
He characterized the cancellations as an attempt by powerful figures to subvert the legislative body.
“Kami sa civil society naman, kung natatandaan ninyo we launched Bantay Senado last Monday. Kasi nakikita po namin na itong Senado ay hinihijack ng ilang taong makapangyarihan na binababoy ang ating mga institution,” De Leon said during a weekend media forum.
De Leon stressed that the Senate belongs to the public and must not be dominated by any individual politician.
“So sabi namin, let’s remember that the Senate is the Senate of the people. Senado po natin ‘yan, hindi po ‘yan Senado ni Alan Peter Cayetano,” he added.
He further declared that civil society groups would closely monitor the developing situation in the upper chamber.
“So magbabantay po kami, magmamatyag, at saka sa amin kahit naman po sino, kahit ako po siguro, baka puwede ako pupunta sa Senado bukas sabihin ko ako ang Senate President. But does that have constitutional effect? Does that have legal effect?”
The leadership dispute reached a turning point after sessions ground to a halt under embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano due to a lack of attendance from the majority bloc. On June 3, a new majority emerged when Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero attended the session, leading to the election of Senator Win Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President.
Gatchalian’s coalition currently holds 12 members. Meanwhile, Cayetano’s faction has dropped to 10 members, following reports that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in hiding and Senator Jinggoy Estrada is currently detained.
De Leon emphasized that Cayetano has clearly lost the legislative majority required to lead.
“In any permutation and combination, Alan Peter Cayetano, wala ka ng majority. Kasi kung meron kang majority, eh dalhin mo sa plenaryo yung warm bodies mo.”
He challenged the lawmaker to prove his leadership status through numbers.
“Pero the fact of the matter is in any permutation and combination, ang kaya mo nang dalhin sa plenaryo, sampu. So ang tanong ko, how can 10 be more than 12? So kung very confident ka na ikaw ang Senate President, bring the warm bodies of your supporters to the Senate floor,” De Leon concluded.