2 majority senators may join minority bloc —Raffy Tulfo

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday said that two senators from the majority bloc may transfer to the minority amid dissatisfaction over a proposal to amend Senate rules and allow lawmakers to participate in plenary sessions remotely.

"Kung pagmamasdan ninyo ang demeanor ng mga senador na nasa majority, at that time na may nangyayaring kaguluhan, may ilan doon na hindi happy," Tulfo said in an interview on "Unang Balita."

(If you observed the demeanor of some senators in the majority during the commotion, some of them were not happy.)

"Ang mga kilos nila, demeanor nila, parang hindi sila sang-ayon sa mga nangyayari. Yun 'yung dalawa na maaaring lumipat," he added.

(Their actions and demeanor suggested they did not agree with what was happening. Those may be the two who would transfer.)

Asked to identify the senators, Tulfo replied: "I don't know."

The minority bloc currently has 11 members, while the majority effectively has 12, with Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa remaining out of public view amid the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to Tulfo, the minority bloc remains solid as it continues to support Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for Senate president.

"Sobrang nipis so there's the big, big possibility na mapapalitan siya sooner or later," Tulfo said, referring to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

(Their numbers are very thin, so there's a big possibility he could be replaced sooner or later.)

Better Unifier?

Last week, minority senators prevented a vote on a motion to tackle in the Senate plenary a proposed amendment to its rules to allow senators to participate remotely in sessions, after they walked out.

Former Senate president Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III previously urged Senate President Cayetano to relinquish his post, saying the Senate needs a better "unified" leader to head the chamber as the deepening rift between senators is hampering their constitutional duties. He, however, said the decision lies with Cayetano.

"Nasa pamamalakad 'yan ni SP Cayetano kung papayagan niya ba na magpapatuloy kami na ganito ang scenario sa Senado na pinagtatawanan kami. It's all up to him. Kaya niyang ayusin ito kung gugustuhin niya. Kaya niyang guluhin ito kung gugustuhin niya," Tulfo said in a separate interview with Super Radyo dzBB .

(It is up to Senate President Cayetano whether he will allow this situation in the Senate to continue. He can fix it if he wants to, and he can also make it worse if he chooses to.)

Flood control probe

Meanwhile, Tulfo questioned plans to create a Blue Ribbon subcommittee that would handle the chamber's investigation into the alleged flood control scandal.

The Senate is scheduled to resume its hearings on the issue on June 4.

"Bakit nga kailangan pa ng subcommittee? Sa tingin ba ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta hindi able at capable si Sen. Pia Cayetano?" Tulfo said.

(Why is there a need for a subcommittee? Does Sen. Marcoleta think Sen. Pia Cayetano is not able and capable?)

"Bakit hindi na lang niya pabayaan si Pia? Bakit siya mismo ang gusto magkaroon ng subcommittee sa Blue Ribbon?" he added.

(Why can't he just let Sen. Pia do her job? Why does he himself want to create a subcommittee under the Blue Ribbon Committee?) —AOL, GMA News