New Senate majority: Filipinos deserve a Senate that works

The new Senate majority said Filipinos deserve a Senate that “shows up and does its job” after the chamber resumed session Wednesday, June 3, following two days without a quorum.

In a joint statement, the group thanked Sen. Francis Escudero for attending the session, allowing the Senate to reach a quorum and continue its work.

“The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics,” the group said.

The session proceeded with 12 senators present, who later declared all leadership posts vacant and elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President.

However, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano rejected the move, insisting he remains Senate President and describing the session as an “illegal coup d’etat.”

The new majority maintained that a quorum of 12 senators has legal basis and cited past Senate practice and Supreme Court rulings.IMT