MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Thursday said the Senate minority bloc will not support any proposal that would allow Sen. Ronald dela Rosa to vote in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte without being physically present in the Senate.

In a television interview, Tulfo said remote participation was only permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns and health restrictions were in place, and should no longer apply under current conditions.

“Ngayon po, everything’s okay naman po, kailangan po siguro ng presence sa Senado (Now, everything is okay, so physical presence in the Senate is probably necessary),” he said.

Tulfo was reacting to a proposal raised by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta allowing Dela Rosa to participate and vote in the impeachment proceedings even if he is not physically present.

He said members of the minority bloc are expected to reject the proposal, stressing that pandemic-era rules should not be used as justification in normal circumstances.

“Marami po sa amin, kami po sa minoriya at hindi po sasang-ayon po dyan. Kailangan po physically present (Many of us in the minority will not agree to that. Physical presence is needed),” he said.

Tulfo also said Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has already released the schedule for the impeachment trial, which is set to begin on July 6.

Under the schedule, Senate sessions will be held on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by impeachment trial proceedings starting at 2 p.m. onwards. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, trial sessions will begin at 3 p.m. and run until the evening, while Thursdays will be reserved for regular Senate sessions.

Tulfo said the minority bloc is also awaiting guidance from the Senate leadership regarding Dela Rosa’s situation following the Supreme Court’s denial of a temporary restraining order related to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

“Inaantay po namin actually ang mayorya po, lalo na po ang tanggapan ni Senator Cayetano dahil siya po ang aming Senate President. Dapat po magmumula sa kanya (We are waiting for the majority, especially the office of Senator Cayetano because he is our Senate President. It should come from him),” he said.

He added that the minority is also waiting for action on reports involving Senate CCTV footage allegedly showing Sen. Robinhood Padilla accompanying Dela Rosa before the latter left the Senate, saying the issue may be raised on the floor if no action is taken.