MANILA – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the recent walkout by minority senators during a Senate plenary session underscored the limited buffer of the majority bloc, which struggled to maintain quorum after the incident.
Speaking in a media interview, Lacson explained that the majority was left with only 11 senators present on the floor after eight minority senators walked out. He noted that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was absent, while Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was not available during the session.
With Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III remaining on the floor as the 12th senator, a motion to adjourn was eventually raised due to the absence of the required quorum.
Lacson stressed that the Senate needs at least 13 members present to proceed with official business. Once the minority left, the majority’s numbers fell short of that threshold.
He said the situation illustrated how easily Senate proceedings can be affected when attendance is thin on either side of the chamber.
The walkout took place amid deliberations on a proposal by Senator Rodante Marcoleta seeking to allow remote participation in Senate sessions. The measure had already been referred to the Committee on Rules after being introduced earlier in May.
According to Lacson, the minority opposed bringing the proposal directly to plenary, arguing that it must first undergo committee deliberation in line with established procedures.
He referenced Senate Rule 24, which requires that measures within a committee’s jurisdiction be studied and reported out before plenary discussion.
Lacson said the minority is open to continued debate and amendments but warned that bypassing committee processes could prompt them to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court over possible grave abuse of discretion.
