Senator Rodante Marcoleta denied accusations that the majority bloc was railroading a proposed amendment to the rules that would allow online participation in Senate proceedings, following a walkout staged by minority senators during plenary debates.

Speaking to reporters after plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, Marcoleta defended his motion seeking to amend the Senate rules to permit virtual attendance under certain conditions.

He said the proposal merely aimed to make the chamber adapt to modern technology and changing circumstances.

He noted that he had already raised the motion as early as May 11.

He explained that the proposal was meant to recognize situations where senators may be unable to physically attend sessions, pointing to developments such as online voting for overseas Filipinos and alternative voting methods already recognized under the Corporation Code.

“Makikita nyo yung bagong technology at dahil sa ito’y dala na rin ng panahon, yun lang naman ang pakay noon (You’ll see the new technology, and since it comes with the times, that was really the only purpose back then),” he said.

The minority bloc walked out Tuesday evening after questioning the majority’s move to tackle and vote on Marcoleta’s motion in plenary.

Marcoleta also addressed criticism over remarks he made pertaining to Senator Risa Hontiveros, who had questioned the procedural basis for taking up the motion.

Marcoleta said he did not intend to insult Hontiveros when he mentioned her supposed lack of legal background during the debate.

“Sabi ko (I said) with no offense meant,” he said, explaining that he was attempting to distinguish between what lawyers refer to as general and special provisions in statutory interpretation.

According to Marcoleta, disagreements arose because both sides were operating from different premises regarding which Senate rule applied to the motion.

“I’m sorry na maaaring sa panig nila ay may nasaktan. Wala pong pakay na gano’n (I’m sorry if, on their side, someone may have been hurt. There was never any such intention),” he said.

He also disputed accusations from the minority that the proposal was being rushed to benefit senators who could potentially face detention or legal trouble in the future.

Senator Erwin Tulfo asked during the plenary session if the motion was being hurried because some members of the majority bloc could later need virtual participation if they get arrested, which would render them unable to physically attend Senate sessions.

Marcoleta rejected the claim, and said the proposal was not intended for any specific senator or circumstance.

He added that the proposal still required debate and clarification, including defining what would qualify as “justifiable conditions” for virtual attendance.