Jamaine Punzalan

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero arrives to attend the session, two days after members of the majority opted not to attend the session. In a statement, Escudero said the impasse was untenable and unacceptable, and that as senators, they should put the institution above themselves. He also clarified that he is not taking sides but chose to prioritize his duty as an elected lawmaker.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE IMPASSE- ESCUDERO ARRIVAL

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/178048135674620260603-senate-plenary-session-escudero-arrival-MT3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero arrives to attend the session, two days after members of the majority opted not to attend the session. In a statement, Escudero said the impasse was untenable and unacceptable, and that as senators, they should put the institution above themselves. He also clarified that he is not taking sides but chose to prioritize his duty as an elected lawmaker.  <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Despite a boycott by the group led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, a dozen senators on Wednesday mustered a quorum that saw the election of <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/senate-plenary-session-majority-minority-1501">Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian</a> and new committee heads. </p><p>The Cayetano-led majority bloc skipped the plenary session for the third straight day on Wednesday. But its then member Sen. Francis Escudero showed up at the session hall where the then 11-strong minority group were waiting, allowing for a quorum to be called. </p><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/1DeW2slnp4o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The quorum of 12 &quot;is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate,&quot; Gatchalian’s group said in a statement. </p><p>He said this was “in full accord” of a Supreme Court ruling “that an absolute majority of 12 out of the 23 members can constitute a constitutional majority of the Senate for quorum purposes.” </p><p>The quorum of 12 was invoked following the<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/2/jinggoy-estrada-graft-arraignment-pleads-not-guilty-1323"> arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada</a> on Monday over his plunder case and<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/27/authorities-raid-angeles-house-tagged-as-dela-rosa-hideout-1036"> the return to hiding of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa</a>, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.</p><p>Gatchalian cited as precedent the May 5, 2015 session where &quot;the quorum was based on 17 available senators&quot;. </p><p>According to the Senate journal, four senators were out of the country on this date and “therefore were not counted in the determination of a quorum pursuant to the decision of the Supreme Court.” </p><p>Three other senators – Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr, and Jinggoy Estrada — “cannot physically attend the session as they were under detention, leaving 17 available senators only.”  </p><p>Following Wednesday’s Senate session, the new Senate majority said the institution “cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty.” </p><p>“Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest. The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics,” it said.  </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/-i-am-still-senate-president-cayetano-calls-senate-shake-up-an-illegal-coup-1720">&#x27;I am still Senate president&#x27;: Cayetano calls Senate shake-up an &#x27;illegal coup&#x27; </a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/malacanang-recognizes-legitimacy-of-new-senate-majority-castro-1728">Malacañang recognizes legitimacy of new Senate majority: Castro </a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/tulfo-says-blue-ribbon-flood-control-probe-to-resume-on-june-8-1640">Tulfo says Blue Ribbon flood control probe to resume on June 8</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</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/mL5DJuUg_So?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Despite a boycott by the group led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, a dozen senators on Wednesday mustered a quorum that saw the election of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/senate-plenary-session-majority-minority-1501">Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian</a> and new committee heads.</p>

Despite a boycott by the group led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, a dozen senators on Wednesday mustered a quorum that saw the election of Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian and new committee heads.

What is the ‘quorum of 12’ that broke Senate standstill?

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What is the ‘quorum of 12’ that broke Senate standstill?

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 03, 2026 06:04 PM PHT

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Updated June 03, 2026 07:37 PM PHT

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Senate

quorum

quorum of 12

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Alan Peter Cayetano

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