MANILA – Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun raised concern over proposals in the Senate seeking to allow remote participation and voting for senators who are absent or facing detention, saying the move may send the wrong message to young Filipinos.

In a news release, Khonghun questioned how such a policy would be perceived by the public, particularly students and workers who are expected to physically report for duty.

“Anong klaseng halimbawa po ang ipinapakita natin sa kabataan kung puwedeng hindi ka sumipot sa trabaho, hindi ka humarap sa tungkulin, pero pwede ka pa ring bumoto at makilahok sa napakahalagang proseso ng impeachment (What kind of example are we showing to the youth if you are allowed not to show up for your job, if you do not face your responsibility, but you can still cast your vote and participate in the very important impeachment process)?” Khonghun said.

“Pwede bang tuloy ang suweldo kahit absent basta malakas ka sa boss? Iyan ang tanong ngayon ng ordinaryong Pilipino (Is it possible to continue receiving salary despite being absent provided you have ‘ingratiating’ relationship with the boss? That’s the question of an ordinary Filipino),” he added.

Khonghun made the statement amid ongoing Senate debates on proposals to expand rules on remote participation in plenary sessions and potentially during impeachment proceedings.

The discussions have triggered tensions in the chamber, including a walkout by members of the minority bloc, who raised concerns over the procedural handling of the proposal and its possible implications for senators facing legal issues.

Khonghun said impeachment is a constitutional duty that requires senators to be physically present to hear witnesses, assess evidence, and evaluate credibility firsthand.

“The Filipino people expect senator-judges to personally hear witnesses, examine evidence, observe credibility, and perform their constitutional responsibilities with seriousness and integrity,” he said.

He warned that easing participation rules for convenience or political accommodation could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

He also noted growing frustration among young Filipinos over perceived unequal treatment in government accountability.

“Ordinaryong estudyante, empleyado, manggagawa — kapag absent, may consequence. Pero kapag makapangyarihan, puwedeng gumawa ng espesyal na rules? Delikado pong precedent iyan (Ordinary student, employee, laborer — when absent, there’s a consequence. But if powerful, special rules could be made? That’s a dangerous precedent),” he said.

The Deputy Speaker clarified that his remarks were not directed at any specific individual but were meant to highlight broader institutional concerns surrounding proposed rule changes during sensitive constitutional proceedings.

“Mas malaki ito kaysa politika. Ang nakataya rito ay tiwala ng publiko sa ating mga institusyon at ang values na ipinapasa natin sa susunod na henerasyon (This is bigger than politics. At stake here is public in our institution and values that we are passing to our next generations),” Khonghun said.