The Senate minority bloc called for the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano after the majority bloc, following his lead, abandoned plenary sessions for a second consecutive day. The minority condemned the absence as a dereliction of duty and violation of Senate rules, leaving the chamber without a quorum and stalling legislative work.
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. FUMED. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano gestures during a press conference concerning Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court and who has reportedly fled, a day after gunfire rang out at the Senate, on May 14, 2026.
'He has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate...a dereliction of duty,' says the Senate minority MANILA, Philippines – The Senate minority bloc on Tuesday, June 2, called on Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to resign after the majority bloc, on his bidding, did not attend the plenary session for a second consecutive day. “Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should resign as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate,” the minority bloc senators said in a statement read by Senator Erwin Tulfo in a media interview at the Senate session hall.
“What happened today was a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution, because the Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” the group added. Citing Rule XIV, Section 41 of the Rules of the Senate, the minority bloc said the Senate president may postpone the holding of the session after consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader.
”“This is not merely a procedural lapse — it is a direct violation of the Rules of the Senate and a serious disrespect for the institution and the Filipino people,” the group said. Pangilinan said the minority bloc will “exhaust all legal remedies to address this impasse. ” They urged fellow senators from the majority bloc to join them in the plenary session on Wednesday, June 3. so they can work on pending legislation.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson appealed to the majority senators’ “sense of duty, responsibility,” citing all the work that the upper chamber needs to do before Congress adjourns sine die on June 6. Instead of attending the 3 pm session on Tuesday, Cayetano opted to go live on Facebook at 3:19 pm to announce that the majority bloc’s absence at the plenary session is a “protest against a puppet Senate.
” This is consistent with Cayetano’s claim on Monday, June 1, that the majority bloc skipped that day’s session to protect what he called the “independence of the Senate. ” That day, Cayetano tried to keep law enforcers from serving an arrest warrant to Senator Jinggoy Estrada for plunder and graft charges linked to flood control corruption. .
”Imbis na pumasok siya, sa FB siya pumasokCayetano also said that he and his allies in the majority did not attend the session to keep the chairmanships of the blue ribbon committee, which is handling the flood control probe, and other Senate panels. Only the 11-member minority bloc was present in the plenary. Without a quorum — or at least 13 senators physically present — the Senate could not conduct business.
Because of the lack of quorum, Senator Risa Hontiveros’ Anti-Hospital Detention Bill, which was scheduled to be tacked on Tuesday’s session, was left hanging. With Senator Bato dela Rosa and Jinggoy Estrada in jail and effectively out of the Senate floor, the majority’s working advantage disappears, leaving the chamber evenly split at 11-11.
Please follow us on Google to support us Senate Crisis Cayetano Resignation Quorum Legislative Impasse Minority Bloc
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cayetano, Jonvic Remulla figure in heated exchange amid Jinggoy's Senate arrestSenate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla figured in a tense exchange on Monday after members of the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) served an arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada at the Senate over plunder charges.
Read more »
Alan Cayetano asks minority to make stand for independence, let Senate 'go quiet'Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday asked members of the minority in the Senate to join the majority in letting the Senate fall silent after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was taken into custody after he was charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan.
Read more »
Senate Minority Refuses to Heed Boycott Call After Estrada's ArrestThe Senate minority in the Philippines has refused to heed the call of Senate President Alan Cayetano to boycott Senate sessions following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The majority and minority in the Senate are now split with 11 members each, making it difficult for Cayetano to pass any measure.
Read more »
Senate President Cayetano Blocks Arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in Senate HallSenate President Michael Cayetano attempted to stop law enforcement from serving a Sandiganbayan arrest warrant for Senator Jinggoy Estrada on June 1, arguing the warrant should not be executed inside the Senate. His actions, including raising his voice and demanding officers leave the chamber, were widely criticized as a breach of judicial authority and a misuse of alleged Senate immunity, drawing parallels to a 1990 incident involving Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
Read more »