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Minority senators inside the Senate apologize to guests after the plenary session failed to begin due to the absence of a quorum and a presiding officer on June 1, 2026 as majority senators and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano did not attend.
The Philippine STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned against maneuvers that threaten to paralyze the legislative process, emphasizing that defending the Senate's institutional integrity should never be used as an excuse to bypass the law.
The statement comes after the non-appearance of the Senate majority bloc in the Senate plenary on June 1, after the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
"Standing up for the Senate's independence does not place SP Alan Peter Cayetano and any senator above the law. It has nothing to do with non-adherence to the rule of law," Lacson said.
"Dereliction of duty will not solve this partisan gridlock. Its sole purpose is to hold legislation hostage," he added.
The statement was in response to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's statement urging the minority bloc to make the chamber "silent" to insist on the independence of the Senate.
Cayetano argued that taking this step would underscore the gravity of the situation, forcing the public to question why a co-equal government branch would opt for silence instead of taking action on its own.
"I am asking you to join one deliberate act — to let the Senate go quiet, together and by choice, so the country is made to ask why a co-equal branch would fall silent rather than be made to serve," he said.
Cayetano added that the decision now rests with senators themselves on how they intend to protect the institution amid the current political climate.
"The door is open. What you do with it is yours to answer — to this institution, and to the people watching it," the Senate president said.
However, for the Senate minority, the majority's no-show left important legislation hanging.
"Let us focus on the work, because the Senate has serious business before it, and if the majority wants to protest, deliver privilege speeches or defend its position, the proper place to do that is on the floor, not by making the chamber stand still," the Senate minority said.
