PDP to question quorum of 12 during Senate shakeup

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) on Thursday said it will question the quorum of 12 senators during the Senate session that elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro-tempore.

“Kaya naman po ang Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) ay maghahain, sa lalong madaling panahon, ng kaso sa Korte Suprema, upang itaguyod ang saloobin ng mga mamamayang Pilipino na labis labis na piniling pagtibayin ang kasalukuyang Saligang Batas, at ipagtanggol ang Rule of Law laban sa mga bastos na Senador, na nais na lapastanganin at yurakan ito,” it said.

(That is why the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), in the soonest time possible, will file a case in the Supreme Court to uphold the sentiment of the Filipino people who overwhelmingly chose to affirm the current Constitution, and to defend the rule of law against the rude senators who wish to trample upon and violate it.)

During Wednesday’s session, the former Senate minority bloc, as well as Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero from the previous majority bloc, elected Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and made him acting Senate President.

In defending the quorum, the senators cited the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling that found that an absolute majority of 12 out of 23 members could constitute a constitutional majority for quorum purposes.

The PDP, however, said that this is already stale. It added that the case took place in 1949 under the 1935 Constitution.

It also said that the 1987 Constitution mandates that 13 senators are required for a leadership change.

The 12 senators, however, did not elect a new Senate President.

But Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the position is now vacant. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News