Senate deadlock deepens as minority slams majority absences

The standoff in the Senate escalated on Tuesday after members of the chamber’s majority bloc failed to appear for plenary proceedings for the second consecutive day, prompting sharp criticism from opposition senators who accused the leadership of paralyzing the institution.

Only senators belonging to the minority bloc were present when the Senate was expected to convene at 3 p.m. According to lawmakers, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales later relayed a message from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano that members of the majority would not be attending the session.

Minority senators denounced the development, arguing that the repeated absence of the majority effectively halted the Senate’s legislative work and undermined the chamber’s obligations to the public.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo described the no-show as a failure of leadership and an abandonment of the Senate’s responsibilities, stressing that the institution cannot cease functioning simply because its presiding officer chooses not to convene proceedings.

Tulfo maintained that any suspension of sessions should be undertaken only after consultations between both the majority and minority leadership, adding that bypassing such a process disregards Senate rules and the public trust.

He further questioned Cayetano’s ability to lead the chamber, saying recent developments have cast doubt on whether the Senate President can still effectively unite its members.

The impasse follows Monday’s aborted session, during which no member of the majority bloc appeared in the chamber. The absence came shortly after the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada inside the Senate complex in connection with a plunder case linked to the controversial flood control program.