Minority senators to Alan Peter Cayetano: Resign

Minority senators on Tuesday called for the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano over the majority bloc's continued absence in the plenary sessions.

"Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano SHOULD RESIGN as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate," the senators said in a joint statement.

The members of the minority bloc faced the media with Senator Erwin Tulfo reading the statement.

They said what happened was "a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution."

"The Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead," they added.

The senators said that under Rule XIV, Sec. 41 of the Rules of the Senate, the Senate President may postpone the holding of the session after consultation with the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.

"That rule was violated. 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," they said.

Majority senators are still a no-show in the plenary Tuesday, a day before the Senate adjourn sine die. The Congress will resume its session in July.

Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri earlier said Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales informed the minority bloc that the majority would not attend the plenary session anew. This was confirmed by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.

Appeal

The minority bloc urged majority senators to attend Wednesday’s session, lamenting delays in the passage of pending measures, including the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers.

“We appeal to the rest of the members of the majority bloc—‘wag na si SP. We appeal to their sense of duty and responsibility kasi mukhang attainable na si SP, kasi siya yung nagsasabi sa mga kasamahan namin na huwag nang umattend ng session,” Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.

(We appeal to the rest of the majority bloc, except the Senate President. We appeal to their sense of duty and responsibility because it appears the Senate President is no longer reachable, as he is the one allegedly telling our colleagues not to attend the session.)

“We now appeal to the rest of the members of the majority bloc. We appeal to their sense of duty na mag-attend ng session bukas,” he added.

The minority senators appealed to the majority bloc to join them in reaching a quorum and allowing Senate proceedings to continue.

In the absence of the Senate President, the Senate President Pro Tempore may call the session to order. The Majority Floor Leader may also perform the duty.

The Senate under Cayetano's leadership has yet to elect a Majority Floor Leader.

“Lahat iniimbitahan namin, sumanib kayo sa amin—pero si Alan Peter, steady ka lang diyan,” Senator Raffy Tulfo said.

(We invite everyone to join us, except Alan Peter. He should just stay where he is.)

Blue Ribbon Committee

Cayetano, in a Facebook live, explained the majority bloc did not attend the session to protect the integrity of the committees and ensure the Senate Blue Ribbon legislative inquiry into the flood control mess will resume.

The 11-member minority bloc denied the allegations, saying it was the majority's "figment of their imagination."

“Walang pinipigil na hearings. Figment of their imagination ang ginagawa nila. Wala kaming ginagawang hadlang sa proseso ng Senado at mga agenda ng Senado,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

(We are not stopping any hearings. That is a figment of their imagination. We are not obstructing Senate processes or its agenda.)

Exhaust legal remedies

Meanwhile, Pangilinan said the minority bloc would “exhaust all legal remedies” to resolve the impasse.

“We will exhaust legal remedies to address itong impasse na ito,” Pangilinan said.

(We will exhaust legal remedies to address this impasse.)—AOL/MCG, GMA News