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This is a developing story.
MANILA, Philippines (6th update 4:18 p.m.) — The Senate deadlock broke Wednesday, June 3, when majority member Sen. Chiz Escudero entered the plenary hall, joined minority senators already waiting there and gave the chamber the numbers it needed to move against its own leadership.
After two straight session days without convening, the Senate resumed with 12 senators present. A roll call was made, quorum was declared and all chamber positions were declared vacant, clearing the way for a reorganization without having ousted Alan Peter Cayetano from Senate presidency.
The Senate president pro tempore post went to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who immediately became the presiding officer. No successor to Cayetano was named.
Gatchalian, as the new highest-ranking member of the chamber, could preside as acting Senate president, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said at a press conference after the session.
Tulfo said the rules require at least 13 senators to install a Senate president, preventing the chamber from electing Cayetano’s successor with the numbers present. Cayetano, technically, remains in the top position.
Escudero’s appearance was pivotal. Minority senators had been showing up for session since Monday, June 1, but the Senate could not proceed after the Cayetano-led majority bloc and presiding officers failed to appear.
The stalemate began hours after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested over a plunder case connected to the flood control scandal on Monday. Cayetano’s majority had been operating on a thin margin after Estrada’s detention and the continued absence of Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
With the Senate having failed to hold session for two days, it left pending measures and appointments stalled as questions mounted over whether Cayetano still had the numbers to control the floor.
The chamber then declared a close to the 20th Congress, ahead of the scheduled adjournment sine die on Thursday.
New commitee posts
New committee chairmanships were assigned among members of the new majority.
Sen. JV Ejercito was named chair of the Finance Committee, while Sen. Tito Sotto was assigned the Committees on National Defense and Security, and Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
Sen. Ping Lacson will lead the Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Accounts. Sen. Erwin Tulfo was assigned the Blue Ribbon Committee and Social Justice, while Sen. Raffy Tulfo will chair Public Services.
Sen. Bam Aquino was named chair of Basic Education, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan of Agriculture, Sen. Risa Hontiveros of Health and Demography, Sen. Lito Lapid of Games and Amusement, Sen. Chiz Escudero of Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and Sen. Migz Zubiri of Foreign Relations and Rules.
'I am taking a stand for the Senate'
In a statement after the session, Escudero said the Senate impasse had become "untenable and unacceptable," arguing that the chamber’s mandate should come before factional loyalties.
"This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the Senate," Escudero said. "My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance."
Escudero said his move should not be read as a matter of "loyalty, betrayal, or choosing one group over the other," but as a question of duty to the institution.
"Hindi ito usaping pampulitika. Wala akong sinasamahan o iniiwanang grupo, pangkat o paksyon," he said. "Ngunit hindi pwedeng manatili tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang naaapektuhan na ay ang mismong kakayahan ng Senado na gampanan ang kaniyang tungkulin sa bayan."
(This is not a political issue. I am not joining or leaving any group, bloc or faction. But we cannot remain in this situation. What is already being affected is the Senate’s ability to perform its duty to the nation.) — reports from Ian Laqui, Renalyn Ramirez, Martin Ramos, Rosette Adel and Camille Diola
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Editor's Note: An earlier version of this report indicated that Alan Peter Cayetano was ousted from Senate presidency after all positions were declared vacant. Sen. Erwin Tulfo then issued a clarification that a 12-member quorum prevented a change in the top leadership. This has been reflected in the update.
