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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Risa says Cayetano-led Senate plenary boycott 'unacceptable'

Risa says Cayetano-led Senate plenary boycott 'unacceptable'

Published Jun 3, 2026 11:09 am  |  Updated Jun 3, 2026 01:36 pm
Senator Risa Hontiveros has found "unacceptable" the continued "boycott" of Senate plenary sessions that she says is being led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano himself.
"Yung (The) boycott? Wow! Totally unacceptable. Trabaho namin magsa-batas, mag-imbestiga, gumawa ng budget, mag-conduct ng impeachment trial. So para doon, we have to show up (It's our job to pass measures, to investigate, to create a budget, to conduct an impeachment trial. So for that, we have to show up)," Hontiveros said in a sit down interview with the Manila Bulletin.
Hontiveros said a boycott led by the Senate President has never before happened in the chamber's history.
The 11 remaining members of the majority had skipped on Monday and Tuesday the scheduled plenary sessions in response to the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing plunder charges for alleged kickbacks and insertions into the anomalous flood control projects.
The Senate is now in a deadlock, with both members of the majority and minority blocs composed of 11 senators each.
Estrada and Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who has been described a fugitive following the issuance of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), are also members of the majority. But they cannot physically join their fellow majority senators in the Senate.
"Yung boycott? Di talaga ako makapaniwala. What? Nandon kami, as usual on time, dala lahat ng mga papeles namin (The boycott? I really can't believe it. We were there, waiting, as usual, on time, and we brought our papers on legislative agenda)," Hontiveros said.
"There are several [measures] na nasa advanced stage of legislation na (There are several measures that are in the advanced stage of legislation)," she added.
Cayetano, in a statement Monday, acknowledged the move they made by urging the public to let the Senate "go quiet" so "the country is made to ask why a co-equal branch would fall silent rather than be made to serve".
Aside from the boycott, minority senators hit members of the majority for their attempts to change the Senate rules to allow senators to participate and vote via video teleconferencing.
"I-dedebate ko talaga 'yun ng matindi (I am really going to debate that fiercely) this week," Hontiveros said.
In the same sit down interview with the Manila Bulletin, Hontiveros cited the iconic axiom "with great power comes great responsibility"  in calling for the responsible handling of Senate leadership.
"Hindi yung pwedeng hawak mo 'yung liderato tapos hindi mo tinutupad yung obligasyon (You cannot assume a leadership without fulfilling your obligation)," she said.

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