UMVA has learned that a power struggle is unfolding in the Senate, where the newly-formed majority bloc of 12 senators is on the brink of securing leadership control, but needs just one more member to solidify their position and end the uncertainty.
The bloc, led by Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, declared a quorum on Wednesday, allowing them to elect Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president, but the opposing faction, led by Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, refuses to acknowledge the leadership change, calling it an “illegal coup d’état”.
According to information obtained by UMVA, analysts believe that securing the support of one or two additional senators would effectively end the leadership dispute and remove any lingering ambiguity about where the majority stands.
A political science lecturer noted that the minority bloc’s refusal to acknowledge the leadership change on June 3 demonstrated an attempt to preserve power over the chamber, and warned that the power struggle will continue to hamper the legislative agenda of the chamber if the dispute is not settled.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines weighed in on the issue, stating that the session on June 3, held on a quorum based on 22 available members, is valid, and that the acts, resolutions, and decisions made by the chamber on Wednesday are lawful based on the Avelino doctrine.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that a legal expert noted that a quorum based on 23 members is acceptable, but the computation of the quorum may be debatable, and that the new setup enjoys the presumption of regularity, but there’s a possibility of bringing it to the Supreme Court.
The Cayetano-led lawmakers are refusing to acknowledge the coup, with Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano calling to order a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing against the instructions of Gatchalian, and resource persons were allowed to enter Senate premises after being registered as guests.
A senator countered the conduct of the BRC hearing, noting that it is against the Senate Rules and is considered an unofficial gathering, and described the move as a “naked grab for power dressed up as ‘inquiry’ and ‘oversight’”.
UMVA has gathered that a special session may be conducted to tackle pending bills stalled by the two-day boycott led by Cayetano, including the anti-hospital detention policies and the promotion confirmation of five retiring generals.
The administration is prepared to convene a special session for Congress should the new Senate leadership formally request it, and the President is inclined to grant the official request for the special session, provided that it includes valid grounds for calling a special session.
The Palace formally recognized the leadership of Gatchalian as acting Senate president, citing the 1949 Avelino vs. Cuenco supreme court case, and noted that a majority of the recognized base number of senators is sufficient to form a quorum and conduct business.
The ongoing Senate leadership dispute may have significant implications for the country’s international reputation, and the Palace urged lawmakers to fast-track priority bills to maintain investor confidence and protect the economic and national interest.
