Minority senators issued a joint statement condemning what they described as an attempt to rush amendments to Senate rules on electronic voting, following a heated plenary session that ended in a walkout and loss of quorum.
The statement criticized the majority bloc for allegedly pushing the measure without allowing full participation from minority members.
“We strongly condemn what appears to be an attempt to rush a major change in the Senate Rules, especially when several members of the minority still wanted to speak and raise serious questions on the floor,” the statement read.
It also questioned the timing and intent behind the proposal, asking, "Bakit kailangang madaliin?" Bakit kailangang pigilan ang mga gustong magsalita? ”
The minority further raised concerns about the implications of the rule change on Senate participation and remote voting, arguing that such a significant amendment should undergo full deliberation.
“The proposed rule change affects how senators may attend sessions, participate in proceedings and exercise their mandate… and such a measure should be opened to healthy public debate instead of being rushed by the tyranny of the majority,” the statement added.
They also questioned the procedural basis for the move, pointing out that the Committee on Rules was not yet fully constituted at the time of the deliberations.
“How could there have been any action or discussion before the Committee on Rules when no Committee on Rules has been organized to date?” they said.
The minority bloc also raised concerns about the broader political context, asking whether the urgency of the measure was linked to ongoing political developments and possible legal issues involving some senators.
While the majority has defended the procedure as compliant with Senate rules, the minority insisted that the issue should have been referred to proper committee processes and given more time for debate.
The controversy comes after a tense Senate session where minority senators walked out, leading to the adjournment of proceedings due to the loss of quorum.
