MANILA — Minority senators condemned what they described as a rushed attempt to amend the Senate Rules, prompting them to walk out during plenary deliberations.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers questioned why the proposed rule change was being fast-tracked despite several senators still seeking recognition to raise concerns on the floor.

“Bakit kailangang madaliin? Bakit kailangang pigilan ang mga gustong magsalita? Bakit kailangang i-divide ang house kung marami pang senador ang nagtatanong tungkol sa proseso?” the senators said.

The minority bloc also raised questions on whether the move was intended to allow Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to participate in voting, amid reports that some majority senators could also face possible arrest.

“Minamadali ba ang rule change na ito dahil gusto nilang maka boto si Senator Bato? At ngayong may mga ulat na may mga majority senators na maaaring arestuhin?” they added.

According to the senators, they left the session hall because the proceedings no longer reflected what they considered orderly deliberation.

They argued that the proposed amendment, which would affect how senators attend sessions, participate in proceedings, and exercise their mandate remotely, should undergo wider public discussion instead of being hastily approved.

“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,” the statement read.

The lawmakers maintained that while they support open discussions during plenary debates, all senators should be given the opportunity to speak.

“We have always welcomed healthy discussions on the floor, but this should mean allowing all members to be heard, not forcing the chamber to move at the speed preferred by the majority,” they said.

The minority senators also questioned the legality of the process, pointing out that there was allegedly no duly constituted Committee on Rules and no elected Majority Leader at the time the motion was introduced.

“At the time the motion was taken up, there was no duly constituted Committee on Rules and there was not even an elected Majority Leader who could properly guide a rules amendment through the regular process,” they said.

“How could there have been any action or discussion before the Committee on Rules when no Committee on Rules has been organized to date?” they added.

The group said assurances that no Senate rule had been violated did not fully address their concerns, stressing that procedural rules should not be treated merely as a matter of convenience.

“With due respect, the answer that no Senate rule had been violated does not settle the matter, because the rules cannot be treated as a matter of convenience when the very process for amending them is under serious question,” the senators said.

The lawmakers said the timing of the proposed amendment deserved open public discussion, which prompted them to question the quorum and move for adjournment.

“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,” they said.

The senators added that if the proposal could withstand scrutiny, it should pass through the proper legislative process.

“If the proposal is truly defensible, then let it pass through the proper route,” they said.

They also stressed that they were seeking more time to deliberate on the matter as part of fulfilling their mandate to the public.

“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,” the statement added.