MANILA — Minority senators raised concerns over what they described as the majority bloc’s intention to rush the approval of a proposal allowing senators to participate and vote in plenary sessions through teleconferencing.

In a media report, it said that Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the move appeared aimed at accommodating senators who may face arrest proceedings, including Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

“Halatang-halata naman na para ma-accommodate nila si Senator Bato, kung sino man ‘yung huhulihin na dalawa,” Tulfo said in an interview with DZMM on Wednesday, May 27.

The statement came after the 11-member minority bloc staged a walkout during Tuesday’s plenary session following a heated exchange over the proposed amendment to Senate rules.

In a joint statement, the minority senators said the move to amend the rules was being rushed despite alleged procedural lapses, including the absence of a duly constituted Committee on Rules.

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

The proposed amendment, which seeks to introduce Section 41(c) to the Senate Rules, was introduced by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on May 11, the same day Dela Rosa resurfaced to vote in favor of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s election as Senate President.

Under existing Senate rules, remote participation is only allowed in cases of force majeure or national emergencies, such as disasters or calamities. Teleconferencing was last used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tulfo said the minority left the session because they anticipated how the vote would turn out.

“Kahapon ho, lumayas ho kami, tumayo kami kasi alam ho namin ‘yung patutunguhan. Magbobotohan, matatalo po, and therefore lulusot po ‘yung pinipilit ni Sen. Marcoleta na Section 41(c),” he said.

He also apologized to the public for the walkout.

“Kami po sa minority, humihingi na ng paumanhin sa taong-bayan sa ginawa naming pag-walk out kasi nga po kitang-kita naman ‘yung pagre-railroad nila,” he added.

Sen. Win Gatchalian echoed the concerns, saying the majority failed to follow proper procedure in advancing the proposal.

“Ang gusto ng majority, i-amend ang rules na ito, at payagan ang mga senador kahit wala sa building, kahit hindi natin alam kung nasaan, ay payagan mag-attend ng session at bumoto pa,” Gatchalian said.

He added that the process was rushed despite procedural gaps.

“Meron tayong mga patakaran, rules na sinusundan. Malinaw kagabi na hindi nasundan ang proseso. Pinipilit na pagbotohan kahit iyong proseso ay hindi nasundan,” he said.

Gatchalian suggested that both blocs should first engage in discussions to reach a compromise before proceeding through proper channels.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said the minority also had substantive objections beyond procedural concerns.

“Mas importante pa ba ‘yung pagpilitin botohin ‘yung voting by electronic means kaysa sa mga isyu talaga ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.