A timeline of the Philippine Senate standoff since the May 11 leadership coup, detailing the rivalry between factions, the ICC arrest warrant for Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, and the resulting paralysis of the upper chamber.
With rival factions vying for control, here's a timeline of the Senate standoff since the May 11 leadership coup The Senate has been mired in successive controversies in a span of less than a month, driven by shifts in political alliances, high-stakes arrests, and the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
With conflicting orders from two blocs fighting for the legitimacy and authority of the Senate leadership, Filipinos have seen the upper chamber paralyzed, unable to perform its constitutional mandate. At the height of all the chaotic mess, even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined many others in expressing disappointment, saying he “watched with horror” what the Senate had become. Here’s a timeline of the significant events surrounding the turmoil in the upper chamber.
We will update this story as the latest developments unfold.led by the Duterte-allied bloc ousts Senator Tito Sotto and installs Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president, following the surprise appearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. , trying to evade a then-confidential arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over his alleged crimes against humanity tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
to serve the warrant, causing him to slip while running up the stairs. Dela Rosa seeks Senate protective custody after the incident, prompting Cayetano to order a Senate lockdown. Later that day, the ICC unseals and publicizes the, urge Dela Rosa to “voluntarily surrender to the proper authorities and seek judicial remedies in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws and rules.
” The resolution argues that there is no constitutional or statutory authority that stipulates that the Senate can provide its members “protective custody” or protection from lawful arrest, surrender, or judicial processes.. Padilla says Senate rules do not provide for senators shouting at each other. Pangilinan later counters that Padilla need not be onion-skinned. After the commotion, Dela Rosa leaves the plenary session just past 4 pm and goes live on Facebook by 5 pm.
Dela Rosa’s camp claims he is facing an imminent threat of arrest by the NBI. At around 6 pm, the Supreme Court issues a resolution stating that it will not issue “interim or urgent measures” for Dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order to protect him from the ICC’s warrant. By 7 pm, the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms tells the media that the Senate will go on lockdown again.
Minutes later, journalists see Dela Rosa taking the elevator, but the Senate staff is able to block the media. At 7:44 pm, members of the Philippine Marines, along with OSAA personnel, march down the right wing of the Senate wearing bulletproof vests and carrying firearms. Minutes later, several gunshots are heard coming from the direction of the Government Service Insurance System building . At around 7:57 pm, the articles of impeachment against Sara Duterte arrive at the Senate.
Senator Alan Cayetano goes live on Facebook at around 8:01 pm, claiming that the Senate is “under attack. ” Senator Imee Marcos also posts a video echoing the claim and asks why there is a shootout at the Senate. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrives at 8:28 pm to “secure” the senators left in the building. By 11:13 pm, Dela Rosa’s lawyers say he is still in the Senate premises.
officials — most notably former secretary Manuel Bonoan — over plunder and graft cases related to flood control projects. On the same day, during an interview while on a state visit to Japan, the President joins others in expressingover the chaotic situation in the Senate.
He describes the ongoing events as highly concerning, adding that he is watching them unfold withanti-hospital detention bill The minority bloc is present in the plenary hall, but because a quorum is not reached, no session is held.. This is followed by a motion to declare all Senate positions vacant, and the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asof the blue ribbon committee.
Tulfo says the hearing on the flood control probe will be moved to June 8 to give THE new members of the committee time to study and formulate questions for the resource speakers.that he is still the Senate president despite the approval of the motion to declare all positions vacant. Cayetano’s camp refuses to recognize the validity of the 12-member quorum, insisting that a quorum requires the presence of 13 senators.with the blue ribbon committee hearing on flood control corruption despite the June 3 appointment of Tulfo as the new chairperson.
, with Pia saying that she had withdrawn her invitation to the 18 alleged former Marines who were to serve as resource speakers. (, Pia, and the resource speakers.
He explains he is just protecting himself from the crowd near the door, adding that it takes at least 100 people to block the entrance, and he is alone.a memorandum allowing Senate employees to work from home as a preemptive measure to ensure safety and peace within the chamber.that “the Office of the Senate President remains fully operational, and the incumbent Senate President continues to hold and exercise the powers, functions, and prerogatives of the said office. ”Reinnard Balonzo is a researcher-writer at Rappler, where he focuses on fact checks, data-heavy investigations, and community stories across the Bicol region. Philippine NewsFact CheckPhilippine NewsPhilippine NewsPhilippine News
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