'Resign!': Solid Bloc 11 urges Alan Cayetano after committing 'clear abandonment of responsibility'
By Dhel Nazario
The 11-member Senate minority bloc, the so-called “Solid Bloc 11,” on Tuesday, June 2, called for the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, accusing him of dereliction of duty and violating Senate rules after the chamber failed to hold plenary sessions for two consecutive days.
Minority senators deliver a joint statement during a press conference at the Senate Plenary Hall in Pasay City on June 2, 2026, following the absence of majority senators during the scheduled session. The minority bloc called on Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to step down from his post and urged members of the majority bloc who remain committed to public service to attend the plenary session scheduled for Wednesday. (Mark Balmores)
In a joint statement, the minority said Cayetano’s actions amounted to an “abandonment of responsibility” and a “blatant disregard” of the institutional rules governing the Senate, following a second consecutive day in which the majority bloc did not attend session.
“What happened today was a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution, because the Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” the statement read.
The group specifically cited Rule XIV, Section 41 of the Rules of the Senate, which states that the Senate President may postpone a session only after consultation with both the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
They argued that this procedure was not followed.
“Under Rule XIV, Sec. 41 of the Rules of the Senate, the Senate President may postpone the holding of the session AFTER consultation with the Majority Leader AND the Minority Leader. That rule was violated,” the statement said.
The minority bloc said the alleged breach was not merely procedural but represented a serious violation of Senate rules and a disrespect to the institution and the public.
Calling for accountability, the group urged Cayetano to step down from his post.
“Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should resign as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate anymore,” the statement said.