Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri clarified the procedural requirements for declaring a sine die adjournment, emphasizing that it must follow established Senate rules, including approval of a concurrent resolution and formal coordination with the executive branch.
Zubiri explained that both the Senate and the House of Representatives must approve a concurrent resolution during plenary session before adjournment can be declared.
“Because to be able to declare sine die adjournment, you have to pass a Senate and House concurrent resolution, which is done in the plenary floor and approved by the body,” Zubiri said.
He added that it is a long-standing tradition for both chambers to formally inform the President of the Philippines about the adjournment, which requires the creation of a committee for that purpose.
“We even have to create a committee that will inform the president, which we did to elect Senators JV Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, and Kiko Pangilinan,” he said, stressing that such steps are part of Senate rules and tradition rather than a unilateral action.
Zubiri also emphasized that the process cannot be completed through a simple letter from the Senate President alone, underscoring the importance of collective approval.
The clarification comes amid reports that the Office of the Senate President under Alan Peter Cayetano issued a formal notice declaring the Senate in sine die adjournment, with sessions scheduled to resume on July 27, 2026.
The notice stated that the adjournment was done in accordance with Senate rules and approved legislative calendars, while also clarifying that committees may continue hearings and investigations during the recess.
