MANILA – Senator Erwin Tulfo has appealed to key Senate leaders, including Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, to attend plenary sessions to break the current Senate impasse and restore quorum.
In an interview on ANC Headstart on Wednesday, Tulfo said the chamber cannot resume full legislative work unless enough senators from the majority bloc are present to officially convene the session.
He noted that even without Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, senior members of the majority should take responsibility to ensure the Senate remains functional.
Tulfo specifically called on Villanueva and Legarda to attend sessions, stressing that their presence is necessary to move the legislative agenda forward.
“If Senator Cayetano is absent, at least the two of them should show up so we can have a quorum,” he said.
He also explained that the minority bloc, with only 11 members, is not enough to establish quorum on its own.
Tulfo reminded senators that public service requires attendance and accountability, noting that lawmakers are paid by taxpayers regardless of whether plenary sessions are held.
“We are being compensated by the Filipino people, so we should report for work,” he said.
He added that while committee hearings continue, the absence of plenary sessions has stalled the passage of bills and approval of committee reports.
With sine die adjournment approaching, Tulfo warned that time is running out for the Senate to accomplish its legislative duties.
“We are asking everyone to come to work so we can finally reach quorum. We are adjourning on Friday, and the past weeks have been unproductive,” he said.
The Senate is scheduled to resume sessions on July 6 for an impeachment trial, but Tulfo said continued gridlock could reflect poorly on the institution’s ability to function properly.
ia/xf
