Camille Naredo

The Senate's Minority bloc walks out of the plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Photo from the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan

Article (news)

SENATE

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177980671790305262026-Plenary-21.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Senate&#x27;s Minority bloc walks out of the plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Photo from the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate&#x27;s Minority bloc walks out of the plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. <em>Photo from the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Senators from the Minority bloc walked out of the plenary session on Tuesday night, after the Majority insisted on discussing Senator Rodante Marcoleta&#x27;s proposal to amend the Senate Rules to allow Senators to vote offsite through electronic platforms.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; the Minority said in a joint statement on Tuesday night.</p><p>&quot;We walked out because what happened on the floor looked less like orderly deliberation. The proposed rule change affects how senators may attend sessions, participate in proceedings and exercise their mandate through remote means, and such a measure should be opened to healthy public debate instead of being rushed by the tyranny of the majority,&quot; they added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/letting-senators-join-sessions-remotely-still-just-a-proposal-1657">READ: Letting senators join sessions remotely still just a proposal</a></div><p>Generally, current Senate Rules require Senators to be physically present in the Senate session hall to participate and vote. </p><p>They are only allowed to convene and hold the session through teleconference, video conference, or other reliable forms of remote or electronic means, using appropriate information and communications technology systems, due to force majeure or the occurrence of a national emergency as determined by the majority of all the members of the Senate which may prevent the convening of the Senate or the physical presence of its members in the session hall.</p><p>On May 11, Marcoleta proposed to insert a new paragraph (c) under Section 41, which reads: &quot;Allow a senator for justifiable reasons to attend and participate in the session through teleconference, video conference, or other reliable forms of remote or electronic means, using appropriate information and communications technology.&quot;</p><p>At that time, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano suggested giving the Committee on Rules time to discuss the matter.</p><p>The Majority revived the discussion on Tuesday, May 26, hours after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla bared plans to charge Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva in connection with the flood control scandal, a move that could prevent them from attending sessions. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/ombudsman-to-file-plunder-raps-vs-jinggoy-estrada-hopefully-thursday-1351">READ: Jinggoy Estrada plunder case up for filing &#x27;hopefully Thursday&#x27; – Ombudsman</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/-hinog-na-ombudsman-says-case-vs-joel-villaneuva-almost-ready-1356">READ: Ombudsman says flood control case vs Joel Villaneuva almost ready</a></div><p>Marcoleta originally made the proposal the day <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/can-bato-participate-vote-in-vp-duterte-impeachment-trial-from-afar-experts-weigh-in-1401">Senator Ronald Dela Rosa</a> surfaced after months of absence after it was reported that the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest for the drug war.</p><p>This situation was on the minds of Minority Senators Erwin Tulfo and Francis Pangilinan when they called out the Majority. </p><p>&quot;We are not able to ask questions as to why we are amending the rules. We are not able to ask questions as to who they wish who will benefit from the amendment to the rules. Is this rule for Senator Bato, who is not here? We would like to raise these valid questions, Mr.President, before we go into a vote,&quot; said Pangilinan.</p><p>Tulfo, for his part, said: &quot;Is it because … they&#x27;re in a hurry because of news reports that probably two of our colleagues might land in jail this weekend? Is that the reason why?&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OFFENSE TAKEN</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmW9LJrmItA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano took offense at Tulfo&#x27;s statement, while Marcoleta noted that his argument &quot;can cut both ways.&quot;</p><p>Minority Senator Panfilo Lacson had earlier objected to Marcoleta&#x27;s proposal, pointing out that it had been referred to the Rules Committee -- which has not yet been reconstituted. Thus, it could not send the matter back to the plenary for discussion.</p><p>Senator Francis Pangilinan wanted the matter delayed to Monday, as he asked why the process was being &quot;railroaded.&quot;</p><p>Later in the discussion, Cayetano called out Pangilinan for raising his voice: &quot;You were shouting, kaya nga hindi magkarinigan.&quot;</p><p>The atmosphere became more heated when Sen. Erwin Tulfo flagged as statement by Marcoleta that he said was a personal attack against Sen. Risa Hontivoers.</p><p>&quot;Ito ang mahirap kasi kung wala po tayong legal background dito,&quot; Marcoleta said in response to Hontiveros.</p><p>&quot;Point of order. Ad hominem. Hindi po tama yun,&quot; said Tulfo.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/-para-makaboto-yung-mga-makukulong-erwin-tulfo-uminit-ang-ulo-sa-mosyon-ni-marcoleta-2057">&#x27;Para makaboto yung mga makukulong?!&#x27;: Erwin Tulfo uminit ang ulo sa mosyon ni Marcoleta</a></div><p>The session was suspended at this point, and during the break, Marcoleta appealed to Hontiveros to hear him out and not impute malice. When the session was resumed, Cayetano appealed to his colleagues to speak carefully before insisting that they vote. </p><p>Sotto moved to adjourn the session, or call the roll to see if there is still a quorum. At that point, Cayetano noted that the Minority bloc had walked out.</p><p>&quot;Madam Chair, we will not object, but for the records they scampered out and left the Minority Leader instead of discussing the rule,&quot; said Cayetano. &quot;Ganoon &#x27;yung allegation nila and no one from the minority stood up to say that out of order si Senator Erwin Tulfo. So we will not object … We move that we adjourn until 5:00 p.m., Monday.&quot;</p><p>Legarda acted on Cayetano&#x27;s motion and adjourned the session till next week.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TRAVESTY </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c9oaErJ3O4g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Senator Miguel Zubiri, asked for a reaction after they walked out, said: &quot;This is a travesty of our rules. This is a travesty of Senate Rules.&quot;</p><p>In their joint statement, the Minority said they have &quot;always welcomed healthy discussions on the floor.&quot; &quot;But this should mean allowing all members to be heard, not forcing the chamber to move at the speed preferred by the majority,&quot; they added.</p><p>&quot;The timing raises a question that the public deserves to hear debated openly. Kaya pinili naming tumayo at iwan ang majority sa plenary. Kaya kami nagdesisyon to question the quorum and call for adjournment,&quot; the Minority also said.</p><p>&quot;If the proposal is truly defensible, then let it pass through the proper route. We owe it to the people who voted for us to do our mandate. This is why we want more time to discuss this further.&quot;</p><p>After the session was adjourned, Marcoleta called out the Minority and insisted on his proposal.</p><p>&quot;Hindi namin kayo nire-railroad,&quot; he insisted. </p>

<p>Minority senators on Tuesday walked out out of the plenary session after the majority bloc insisted discussion of rule amendment on electronic voting.</p>

Minority senators on Tuesday walked out out of the plenary session after the majority bloc insisted discussion of rule amendment on electronic voting.

Minority senators walk out after clash on electronic voting rule discussion

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Minority senators walk out after clash on electronic voting rule discussion

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 26, 2026 07:56 PM PHT

|

Updated May 26, 2026 10:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Minority bloc

Rodante Marcoleta

Alan Peter Cayetano

Jinggoy Estrada

Joel Villanueva

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.