Senate Minority Walkout Over Proposed Electronic Voting Amendment

On May 26, 2026, minority senators left the Senate plenary in Manila during debate on a motion to permit electronic voting, causing loss of quorum. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda suspended the session, which was adjourned and set to reconvene on June 1, 2026.

Rappler

Senator Rodante Marcoleta filed the amendment on May 11, 2026, to permit participation. Proposal followed Alan Peter Cayetano’s election as Senate president and return of Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, facing ICC arrest warrant, to vote. Minority senators said Committee on Rules had not yet been reconstituted, making process suspect. They warned voting could affect impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rappler

The minority bloc issued statement condemning rushed rule change, noting several members still wanted to speak. Majority leaders, Alan Peter Cayetano, invoked Section 136 of Senate Rules, which permits rule amendment without prior committee review a day before, and said majority of senators can approve it. President-pro-Tempore Loren Legarda adjourned after walkout. Jinggoy Estrada backed amendment.

Rappler

Minority senators said proceeding without a Committee on Rules violated procedure, calling it a “travesty of our rules,” Senator Migz Zubiri said. They questioned whether the haste aimed to enable Senator Dela Rosa’s vote or shield four majority senators facing plunder investigations. Senator Erwin Tulfo linked the speed to arrests of two colleagues, suggesting political intent.

Rappler

Sources disagree whether Committee on Rules endorsed the motion; some say it did, others say the committee was not yet organized. Majority cites Section 136 as allowing amendment without committee input, while minority disputes that interpretation. Reports differ on number of senators under investigation, citing “at least four” versus “two” in Senator Tulfo’s remarks. No resolution on the amendment’s procedural validity has emerged.

Rappler

• “We walked out because what happened on the floor looked less like orderly deliberation.” — Senate minority bloc, joint statement

Rappler

• “We strongly condemn what appears to be an attempt to rush a major change in the Senate rules, especially when several members of the minority still wanted to speak and raise serious questions on the floor,” — Senate minority bloc, joint statement

Rappler

• “Why are they — the majority — in a hurry to tackle this motion and divide the house?” — Senator Erwin Tulfo

Rappler

• “rules may also be amended by means of a motion, which should be presented at least one day before its consideration, and the vote of the majority of the senators present in the session shall be required for its approval.” — Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano (citing Section 136)

Rappler

The Senate will reconvene on June 1, 2026, to resume deliberations on the amendment. A vote is expected pending quorum, and the outcome could shape the procedural framework for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rappler