Some members of the Senate minority bloc on Wednesday, May 20 took the floor to ask why the Upper Chamber returned into a “business as usual” stand despite the chaos that transpired last week within its premises. 

Sen. Erwin Tulfo manifested his displeasure on the recent chaos in the Senate on the floor.

“What happened inside the Senate premises last week is deeply alarming, regardless of which side one stands on politically. I know you will agree with me, Mr. President,” Tulfo said addressing newly-elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Many versions of the armed confrontation are now circulating. Statements were made that the ‘Senate was under attack’ while the Executive denies any offensive operation. Some claim that the tension was triggered by the recent changes in Senate leadership,” Tulfo lamented.

“There are allegations involving the OSAA, the NBI, and even speculation that the shooting itself was a ‘smokescreen’ to facilitate an escape or create confusion. And even more disturbing were allegations attempting to implicate the Minority just because ‘nakauwi na kami’ (we already went home),” he pointed out. 

Tulfo, then brought up the issue on why the new Senate leadership informed the body of an all-senators caucus on May 12, before the shooting incident, and later on modified it to a “majority-only” caucus on May 13. 

“Naturally, members of the Minority who were no longer part of those internal deliberations eventually went home, Mr. President. To suggest that the mere fact that some senators were responsible for what later transpired just because they had already left the premises is speculative, irresponsible, and unsupported by evidence,” he stressed.

“But beyond the conflicting narratives, let us not forget the ordinary Senate employees and staff who were caught in the middle of the chaos. The rank-and-file, maintenance, security, clerks, media, and other employees who were caught in the chaos just because they were just doing their job,” he said.

“Yet they were the ones exposed to fear, confusion, and danger inside an institution where they should have felt secure. Some were traumatized. Some feared for their safety,” he lamented.

Tulfo said they are not scapegoats and more importantly should not be treated as collateral damage.

“We must recognize the larger damage caused by this incident. Mr. President, millions of Filipinos, and even the whole world, watched this unfold in disbelief. They saw the confusion inside one of the highest institutions of government. They saw conflicting authorities, conflicting narratives, and an atmosphere that appeared closer to disorder than democratic governance. Nakakahiya po, sa totoo lang, Ginoong Pangulo (It’s shameful, to tell you the truth, Mr. President),” he said.

“And because the public witnessed it, the public deserves the truth. Nakaabang na ang taumbayan (the people are waiting) and they have been waiting since Monday,” Tulfo reiterated. 

He, then, urged the Senate leadership to shed light further on the details of what transpired last week and to reveal whether or not there is legal basis to allow law enforcement operations in a civilian vicinity. 

“Mr. President, when law enforcement operations intersect with the authority, privileges, and internal security protocols of another branch of government, there must be clarity not confusion, restraint not escalation

“There is merit in the public outcry for an impartial, independent, and facts-based investigation,” he stressed.

“At the end of the day, no camp wins when public confidence in institutions is weakened. The Senate is not a venue for armed confrontation or competing displays of force or political theater. It is a constitutional institution governed by law, order, and respect for due process,” he said. 

In response, Cayetano said he shares the same sentiment of the minority bloc. 

“Myself, I’m taking prudence and waiting for all the investigations. There are resolutions filed. It will be referred to the proper committee,” he pointed out.

Cayetano then pointed to the need for them to prioritize the election of senators for committee chairmanships. 

Afterwards, Sen. Risa Hontiveros also took the floor questioning why the Senate went into “business as usual” and did not even bother to explain into detail what happened since last week, May 13 when a shooting incident rocked the building, throwing the whole Senate, including its employees, into confusion and terror. 

“Mr. President, it's been almost a week since the chase and shooting here in the Senate. In my heart, I can't help but feel that since Monday, what we've been showing is... as if nothing happened... as if our institution, our employees, and the Filipino people have not been insulted,” Hontiveros said in Filipino during her privilege speech.

“This is no small thing that happened, and we shouldn't expect Facebook Lives, press conferences, and media interviews to piece together the events.    Is this really how low our politics in the Philippines has sunk?   Is this where we are, Mr. President? Has politics completely distorted our standards of social interaction?” she lamented.

Hontiveros also pointed out that last week’s “situation stooped so low that here, in and around these same august halls, someone can brandish a gun in front of civilians.”

“Dear colleagues, that never happened in the Philippines even during the coup, not even during the darkest days of Martial Law, did gunfire erupt within our halls),” she pointed out.

“So, whether we stand in the minority or the majority, the Senate, as an institution, has sustained a profound injury to its dignity, credibility, and moral authority before the Filipino people,” Hontiveros proclaimed.