MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday dismissed Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s claim that ongoing global conflicts and possible climate-related threats could be considered force majeure grounds for allowing remote participation in Senate sessions.

Hontiveros made the remark after Padilla defended proposals seeking amendments to Senate rules through a Facebook post where he explained what he described as the “broader meaning” of force majeure.

In his post, Padilla said force majeure includes circumstances beyond the control of parties involved, including “acts of God” such as floods, earthquakes and severe weather disturbances, as well as war, terrorism, riots, labor strikes, government actions and possible severe El Niño conditions expected later this year.

“Ano ba naman ‘yan. I mean with all due respect, hindi po yan mga force majeure (What is that. I mean with all due respect, those are not force majeure events),” Hontiveros said in an interview.

She said tensions in the Middle East and the resulting oil crisis should instead push lawmakers to physically attend Senate sessions and respond to the impact on Filipinos.

“’Yan nga ang dahilan na dapat physically pumapasok kami at ginagawa ang aming trabaho (That is exactly the reason why we should physically report for work and do our jobs),” she said.

Padilla also cited international warnings about a possible strong El Niño phenomenon that may intensify toward late 2026 and early 2027, which could affect dozens of provinces through below-normal rainfall.

He likewise questioned claims by the previous Senate majority that it was being “pro-active” while opposing proposals that would permit remote participation in Senate proceedings.

The issue arose from a proposal by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta seeking to amend Rule 14, Section 41 of the Senate rules to allow senators, for justifiable reasons, to attend and participate in sessions through teleconference, video conference or other reliable electronic means.

Current Senate rules only permit remote sessions during force majeure incidents or national emergencies that prevent senators from physically convening.

The proposed amendment emerged after Sen. Ronald dela Rosa briefly returned to the Senate on May 11 after months of absence, cast his vote during the Senate leadership change, and later left the chamber amid efforts to arrest him over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Authorities have since been directed to arrest Dela Rosa, whom the Department of Justice has described as a fugitive.