00:01Senators from the Minority Block walked out of session Tuesday evening, May 26, after heated debates on a motion to
00:07allow Senators to vote in absentia.
00:09The minority Senators disagreed with the motion to amend the long-standing rule that members must be physically present to
00:15vote on any of the Senate's actions.
00:17This is the travesty of our rules. This is the travesty of our rules.
00:21The shifting numbers in the Senate have caused controversy over the past two weeks.
00:25On May 11, Sen. Bato De La Rosa came out of hiding to add his vote to install Alan Peter
00:31Cayetano as Senate President, deposing Tito Soto.
00:34De La Rosa's return to hiding three days later sparked rumors of another power shake-up as the minority could
00:39make a bid to retake the majority.
00:41Who holds power at the Senate in the next few months will make an impact on the impending impeachment trial
00:46of Vice President Sara Duterte.
00:48The majority block led by Cayetano are allied with Duterte.
00:52Several majority Senators also face impending complaints over flood control corruption, which could entail their arrest and detention.
00:59Or is it because, Madam Chair, they are in a hurry because of news reports that probably two of our
01:07colleagues might land in jail this weekend? Is that the reason why?
01:11Majority Sen. Jingoy Estrada, who has been implicated in flood control corruption, says he was offended by Tulfo's statements.
01:18Sir, are you favored with Marcoleta's motion?
01:21Yes, of course.
01:22During the tense debate, Majority Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, a lawyer, belittled Minority Sen. Risa Ontiveros, who has been a senator
01:29longer than him.
01:30Madam President, without giving meaning to anything, it's hard if we don't have a legal background here.
01:40In a statement, the minority block condemned what they called an attempt to rush the proposed rule change.
01:46They said if the proposal is truly defensible, then it should be coursed through the proper route of discussion.
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