Senator Risa Hontiveros opposed the Senate majority’s proposed electronic voting and videoconferencing rule, saying it cannot be justified by citing the case of former Senator Leila de Lima during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement posted on social media, Hontiveros stressed that the Senate Rules only allow videoconferencing in cases of “force majeure or occurrence of national emergency,” noting that such conditions no longer exist today.

“COVID pandemic noon at ang Senado, gaya ng ibang institusyon, ay naka video-conferencing. The Senate Rules only allow videoconferencing due to force majeure or occurrence of national emergency. Wala namang pandemic ngayon,” Hontiveros said.

She also drew a distinction between De Lima’s situation and the current proposal, saying the former senator voluntarily submitted to detention and followed legal processes during her incarceration.

“Si Senator Leila noon ay sumuko, na-detain at rumespeto sa proseso ng batas,” she said.

Hontiveros further argued that the Senate should not allow a member to continue exercising official powers while allegedly refusing to submit to lawful arrest or judicial authority.

“The Senate should not pave the way for a member to continue to vote, influence policies and receive institutional benefits of office — despite refusing to submit to lawful arrest or judicial authority,” she added.

The statement came amid tensions in the Senate over the proposed electronic voting rule, which sparked a heated procedural dispute and led to a minority walkout during plenary session proceedings.