Senate ‘simple majority’ before June 5 as minority woos peers

Senators Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian, and Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)

The current Senate minority is confident of reaching a “simple majority”—of having 12 senators in its bloc compared to 11 of the current majority members—before the chamber adjourns its session on June 5, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.

A dozen senators in the 24-person Senate are not enough to unseat current Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, barely two weeks after he took office in a leadership coup, Lacson admitted.

But he also said the minority lawmakers were actively wooing their majority counterparts over the weekend, with the results expected to be seen today (Monday) as the chamber resumes its session.

A simple majority, if it develops, would represent a first in the Senate—in that the presiding officer would not have the support of the numerical majority of his or her peers, Lacson noted.

Currently, only 12 of the majority senators are attending the sessions, as their 13^th member, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, has gone into hiding anew, just days after voting for Cayetano to become Senate President.

Dela Rosa is trying to evade authorities ordered to serve a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the former national police chief’s role in the crimes against humanity charge filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lacson said the 11-member minority bloc is working to gather enough support to install Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President, describing the move as part of an effort to restore the upper chamber’s credibility and usher in a new generation of leadership.

In an interview Sunday on Bilyonaryo TV, Lacson admitted there had been no significant breakthrough yet in convincing senators from the majority bloc to support the leadership change.

“We each have our targets, our friends on the other side (majority), but as of now, I’ll be frank with you, there is no positive development as far as the 11 (in the minority) are concerned,” Lacson said.

He said the bloc remains confident it can secure a simple majority, although the numbers are still short of changing the leadership.

“If only one senator crosses over, the situation becomes awkward because Senate President Cayetano will remain as presiding officer and Senate president, but he will not have the majority. If only one and not two crosses over, it becomes 12-11. What will then be discussed are the committee chairmanships, because those are elected by the majority,” Lacson said in Filipino.

While he did not identify which majority senator was likely to switch sides, Lacson expressed hope that developments could still take place before the Senate adjourns in two weeks.

“Our only concern, the one thing we are united on, is to restore the lost dignity of the Senate. We hope to bring back the Senate of old,” he said.

Meanwhile, asked whether Gatchalian could become Senate President by Monday, Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III—who was unseated in the coup that installed Cayetano—replied, “it depends,” without elaborating.

Lacson, who was Senate President Pro Tempore before the changes, said the minority bloc chose Gatchalian because he represents a fresh face without political enemies, giving the chamber an opportunity for a new beginning.

“The primary concern of our 11 is to lift up the Senate. We have no discussions about needing to change the leadership so we can push for Con-ass, change the leadership so the impeachment will convict, we have no such talk,” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB.

He added that members of the minority bloc have been tasked with gathering more support from the rest of the chamber, while stressing that their endorsement of Gatchalian as Senate President remains non-negotiable.

“This is like a transition. We are moving to the next generation of senators. So, whatever we can contribute to guide the new generation, who will inherit the leadership of the Senate or the leadership of our country, at least through what we can contribute we can help,” Lacson said.

Sotto also addressed speculation surrounding his silence following his ouster as Senate President on May 11, saying he was the one who originally proposed Gatchalian for the post.

“I was asked why I have been silent re: Senate leadership… wrong! I was the one who brought out the idea of making Sherwin as SP,” Sotto said.

Cayetano assumed the Senate presidency after a 13-9 vote removed Sotto, with Senators Miguel Zubiri and JV Ejercito abstaining. Both Zubiri and Ejercito later stated they wanted to be in the current minority, which has called itself “SB11” (Solid Bloc 11), a play on a Pinoy boy band’s name.

Gatchalian, for his part, said he is ready to assume the position if chosen.

“I think we have already learned a lot in the Senate, especially regarding the complex committees. So, if it is about being ready, I am truly ready,” Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, Sotto rejected claims made by Senator Imee Marcos that a minority bloc conspiracy exists to convene a constitutional assembly aimed at extending the current presidential term until 2031 and preventing Vice President Sara Duterte from seeking the presidency in 2028.

Sotto echoed Lacson’s earlier statement dismissing the allegations as fabricated.

“In one dinner with some golf friends and Speaker Bojie, he mentioned an idea of suggesting a regional Senate representation. I never said it’s okay. Her (Imee’s) source does not know how to listen,” Sotto said, referring to House Speaker Faustino Dy III.

Sotto added that his only comment during the discussion was that any future constitutional amendments should focus instead on lowering the minimum age requirement for national candidates. — Ram Superable & Jimbo Gulle