The current impasse in the Senate is untenable and unacceptable. This, according to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, is the reason why he showed up during Wednesday’s session, this June 3, 2026 and provided a quorum for the Solid Bloc 11, now the new Senate majority bloc. “When political...
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. ...
Members of the Senate minority bloc, the so-called Solid Bloc 11, slammed the majority bloc headed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano for leaving important measures hanging when it decided to boycott the plenary session on Monday, June 1 after Senator Jinggoy Estrada surrendered to authorities...
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated that the majority bloc’s proposed amendment to the Senate rules on remote participation is connected to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, contrary to the allegations of the minority bloc. Cayetano explained that there is no...
Former Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Sunday, May 31, said Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should consider stepping down as the Senate leader in order to bring back order and unity in the Upper Chamber. Pimentel pointed this out as he expressed concern over the current state of...
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday, May 28 said including foreign conflicts under “force majeure” to justify remote participation and voting in Senate proceedings would be an “unforced error.” Lacson pointed this out in referrence to Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s social media post...
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...
Members of the minority bloc walked out towards the end of the plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, after a tense argument over the proposal of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to amend the Senate rules and allow senators to participate in plenary sessions online. It was Marcoleta who proposed the...
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid on Tuesday, May 26 finally brought comic relief to an embattled Senate even after denying reports he has joined the majority bloc. In a privilege speech, Lapid refuted reports circulating on social media that he has decided to join the Senate majority bloc when he...
Despite the recent political tension that gripped the Upper Chamber, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano urged fellow senators—both from the majority and the minority—to focus on national priorities and help maintain an “independent Senate.” In a privilege speech on Monday, May 25,...
The bulk of Monday’s plenary session, May 25, revolved around opposition to a “propaganda” video presented by Senator Imee Marcos , which reiterated her earlier claim of an alleged plan to amend the 1987 Constitution to extend the terms of top government officials, including the...
The 11-member Senate Minority Bloc is not keen on supporting the possible return of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as Senate president. Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan admitted there were discussions, “but it was immediately shot down by the minority bloc.” “There were intermediaries,...
