MANILA – The Senate could face another confrontation when it resumes session if the majority bloc pushes to immediately vote on a proposed amendment allowing senators to participate and vote remotely without following proper procedures, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said.

Tulfo said the minority bloc is prepared for any move by the majority following last week’s walkout over the proposed change to Senate rules.

“Anticipated naman namin na itong majority mukhang gagawa na naman ng maniobra. Pero ready naman kami. Ready naman kami for any eventuality. Kung ano man na meron silang binabalak, alam naman namin siguro ang move na gagawin namin para hindi kami ma-checkmate (We anticipated that the majority appears ready to make another maneuver. But we are ready. We are ready for any eventuality. Whatever they may be planning, we probably know what move to make),” Tulfo said in a television interview.

He said the minority is not against discussion on the proposal but would oppose any attempt to shortcut the process of amending Senate rules.

Tulfo also noted that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s earlier motion to amend the rules had already been referred to the committee on rules, which has yet to convene.

He said that if Marcoleta intends to raise the matter on the floor, the earlier motion should first be withdrawn and a new one filed.

“So dapat ang ginawa ni Marcoleta nung araw na iyon, dapat winidro niya muna ‘yung kanyang motion at nag-motion siya ng panibago (So what Marcoleta should have done that day was to first withdraw his motion and file a new one),” Tulfo said.

The senator added that any proposed amendment must undergo debate before being put to a vote.

“Kung sakali ‘yun ang tatahakin niyang landas (If that is the path he will take), we have to debate on it,” he said.

Tulfo said the minority walked out of the session last week because they believed the majority intended to proceed with a vote without allowing full discussion.

The proposed amendment seeks to allow senators, for justifiable reasons, to attend and participate in Senate sessions through teleconference, video conference, or other electronic means.

The measure has drawn opposition from minority members, who said it may be intended to accommodate an absent senator who could vote remotely.

Tulfo also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s position against remote voting, adding that public sentiment also appears to oppose changing the rules for an absent senator.

Asked whether the issue could affect the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, Tulfo said the minority expects the process to continue but warned against any alleged “illegal maneuver.”